Spring is almost here! While this is certainly something to celebrate and look forward to, many parts of the country will continue to experience winter-like conditions for weeks to come.
Enduring months of sparse sunlight and cold temperatures takes a toll on almost all facets of our health. At this time of year, our physical, mental, and emotional health needs a bit of extra care.
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Common to almost everyone is the feeling of the winter doldrums (or the winter blues). Not having the ability to spend time outdoors in the warmth and sunshine can make us feel lethargic, bored, sad, and downright gloomy.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! According to the Cleveland Clinic, upwards of 20% of the U.S. population experiences the milder form of the winter blues. Thankfully, there is one basic change that you can make today to break free from the winter doldrums: add variety to your routine!
Unsure of how you can incorporate variety into your life? Check out some of my top recommendations for making small, meaningful changes to improve your overall health and wellbeing:
1. Try new spices and flavors when cooking
Although it sounds almost too simple to be effective, trying new spices and flavors can actually provide the variety you need to tame your winter blues.
Trying new recipes — and making creative changes to your favorite meals — can even lead to positive structural changes in your brain. In addition to the fun you’ll have by making and eating these delicious new meals, you will be improving your cognitive health!
As you explore new recipes, choose ones that are full of nourishing ingredients to further support your health. Select a sampling of recipes from a range of cuisines so that you’ll get to try a variety of new spices/flavors. Take this idea up one notch further by planning themed meal nights. Choose specific evenings of the week to dine on international cuisine from countries such as Japan, India, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Argentina, Thailand, and beyond. Travel the globe in the comfort of your own dining room!
2. Switch up your workouts
Has your fitness routine become a bit monotonous? Change it up! Adding variety to your workouts is easy to do, and can make your week a lot more enjoyable. If you’ve let your fitness routine slide over the winter months, it is even more important to pick it back up. Exercise has been proven many times over to be incredibly effective in boosting your mood, reducing stress, and improving your overall mental health.
No matter your preference or fitness level, there is an endless list of activities you can try. Consider swapping (or adding) in winter-friendly workouts, including indoor swimming, Pilates, yoga, racquetball, running, boxing, or even a fitness video game.
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3. Get fresh air (even if it’s cold out!)
While it can be a challenge this time of year, getting fresh air can do wonders for your mood. Thankfully, as we get closer to spring, temperatures are warming up. Check the weekly forecast in your area to see what days are predicted to have mild and clear weather. On those days, plan to take a walk outside. Even if you can only squeeze in five minutes, the fresh air and sunshine can lift your spirits, and give you the hope of warmer months ahead.
Another great idea for getting some fresh air is to open a few windows throughout your home just a few inches. Since the air in your home can become stagnant over the winter, letting the outside air in — even just for a few minutes — can feel wonderful!
4. Add variety to your self-care routine
First and foremost, I have to highlight the importance of having a consistent self-care routine — especially when working to battle the winter doldrums. Caring for yourself on a regular basis will help you de-stress and support your mental health. If you do not practice self-care often, now is the time to build that routine!
With that being said, if you do have a self-care routine that has grown a bit predictable, start adding new activities to your repertoire. Having variety in your self-care routine gives you something to look forward to, which is super effective in conquering the winter blues. Depending on what your current routine looks like, you could try adding in activities such as journaling, deep breathing exercises, weekly calls with a good friend, taking a daily walk, cooking a fun/new dish, meditation, an at-home spa night, working on an art project, going to bed an hour or two early, watching a favorite movie, or taking an online fitness class. Whatever you choose, make sure that it excites you.
5. Try a new activity
Whether as part of your self-care routine or done separately, trying a new activity can be a fantastic way to find fun and joy on even the chilliest and gloomy of days.
Even with COVID-19 safety restrictions still limiting some of the activities you can go out and do, you still have plenty of fantastic options.
One wildly popular type of activity that people have been doing since the start of the pandemic are online Zoom classes. From painting and wine nights, to cooking classes, you can have the same fun that you would at an in-person class. Many of these classes even allow you to participate with friends and family.
In fact, I recently opened enrollment for my Perfect Pairings classes — which are fun virtual cooking/wine pairing social events held monthly. If you are interested, be sure to grab your tickets early!
Starting today, beat the winter doldrums by adding variety to your life. Begin thinking about what areas in your life could use a bit of excitement, and use the above suggestions as a starting point to guide you through to the warmer days ahead! Once you begin adding in variety, the world will open up to you.
Yours,
Dawn McGee
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
