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Following the excitement of Christmas and New Year, things can seem a little gloomy when you resume normality. So, what can you do to beat these winter blues? Turns out there are some great steps that you can take to begin the year with a positive mindset.
Set Goals
Setting goals is key to putting yourself in a positive mindset. This is because you’re putting the focus on yourself and your wants and needs. Devote some time during your day to sit down and think about what would make you happy.
These could be any type of goals that you wish, such as professional or in your personal life. It’s a great idea to write each of them down in a specific journal or notebook so that you can tick them off as you achieve them.
Visualising things can be great for your self-esteem as it will certainly be satisfying to tick off your goals! So, consider purchasing yourself a notebook and get writing.
Pick Up A Book
Picking up a new book and getting lost in another world can be a great form of escapism. Plus, it can give your eyes a break from using screens which is always a positive thing! In fact, it turns out that there are plenty of benefits to reading. For example, it can help to strengthen your brain.
One 2013 study examined study participants’ brains using MRI scans to report the effect of reading on the brain. The participants read the novel Pompeii over nine days, and the scans indicated that more areas of the brain began to light up as the tension in the plot increased. Following the reading period, the brain scans indicated increased connectivity.
What’s more, reading can also lead to an increase in empathy, help build your vocabulary, and can help to reduce feelings of stress. So, what’s stopping you? Pick up that novel you’ve always wanted to read!
Get Some Sunlight
If you can, then it’s always a good idea to get some sunlight. This allows your body to absorb vital Vitamin D. You could head out for a walk, sunbathe on the beach, go for a run, read a book in the park – there are plenty of options!
Remember to wear sun cream to help protect your skin from damaging UV rays.
Getting out into the sun can provide you with a serious mood boost. You see, exposure to the sun can trigger a release of the serotonin chemical in your brain. This is the chemical that’s associated with a happy mood boost and feeling calm.
Your serotonin levels can take a dip without sunlight, so make sure that you get in all you can.
There are also other health benefits to getting enough sun, for example, strengthening your bones, managing the health of your skin, and supporting the health of your immune system.
Eating A Balanced Diet
Consuming a balanced diet can work wonders for both your physical and mental health. This means that you eat a healthy but non-restrictive diet. Restricting certain food groups from your diet or refusing to treat yourself can lead to low moods.
If you’re worried about your diet, then you could contact a doctor or nutritionist who will advise you on the diet that works best for you.
It’s also a good idea to plan ahead for all your meals. This could mean making lists or meal prepping for the week. This can ensure that you’re organised and that you’re getting all of the vital nutrients that you need to function properly.
Get Moving
It is no secret that getting your body moving is a sure-fire way of beating the winter blues! Not to mention, there is a broad variety of different types of exercises, which means you should be able to find something for your preferences and needs.
For example, you could keep things simple and go for a walk or run, follow a YouTube tutorial for yoga or Pilates or join a gym. There are so many different options, but nothing stops you from mixing these types of exercise to target different muscle groups.
Get Social
Seeing your loved ones, such as your friends and family, can be a great way to cheer up your day. Why not do some fun activities, such as ice skating, going to the cinema or to see a show, or maybe try a new activity?
Or you could just keep things simple by going for a walk or a coffee to catch up. In case you can’t see your loved ones in person, then you can always arrange a virtual catch-up. By giving them a quick (or not) call and letting them know that you’re thinking of them, you could make someone’s day!
Try CBD
Adding natural and beneficial supplements to your routine can help to support your healthy lifestyle. One popular natural supplement is CBD. So, what does CBD mean? CBD (a shortened term for cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis Sativa plant.
There are over one hundred other useful cannabinoids found in the plant, in addition to terpenes and flavonoids. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabinoid is the main psychoactive cannabinoid and can cause the user to feel intoxicated. Therefore, only trace amounts of THC are legal in CBD products.
You will need to decide on what spectrum of CBD you wish to consume. CBD isolate is pure CBD, while broad-spectrum CBD will contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Finally, full-spectrum CBD will contain all of the naturally occurring compounds from the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC.
You could always begin with CBD isolate and work your way up to broad and full-spectrum products. Begin with a small dose so that you can monitor how the CBD affects you. From here, you can alter your dosage as needed.
There are also many ways to use cannabidiol, such as CBD vape oil (https://alphagreen.io/collections/cbd-e-liquids.html) lotion, massage oil, tea, coffee, protein bar – you name it, it’s probably out there! CBD can help to promote calm which can bring you a moment of much-needed peace and rest.
Why not indulge in a CBD massage? This can help to provide needed relief and bring you closer to your loved ones. Or you could enjoy a warm bath infused with CBD or simply sit and drink a warming CBD herbal tea to experience better rest.
Final Thoughts
And that concludes our tips for beating the winter blues! Trying just a couple of our tips will likely help to boost your mood. However, remember to always be kind to yourself and take time out to make sure your needs are being met – your body and mind will surely thank you for it.