For some people winter is a time when the blues set in. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where people show depressive signs over winter, is a very real condition increasingly seen by psychologists and health professionals. Yet, winter doesn’t have to be the harbinger of gloom. Rather it can be conceptualised as a time of rejuvenation when we give our bodies and minds a little ‘R n R’. In a nutshell, the seasons are just nature’s way of allowing us to balance our lifestyles.

Ponder this:
Spring is the season that wakes us up gently, pushes us out of bed and readies us for the summer; summer is the ultimate workout, a time of outdoor sports and activities, giving us our fill of beaches and barbeques; By the time autumn folds her slightly frosty fingers around us and beckons us indoors, we are ready for the break; And as for winter, it’s when we should relish the onset of open fires, snuggly Sunday mornings, indoor gym workouts and long walks along the slate-coloured sea shore!

Below are 10 must-do’s to make sure you feel great, whatever the season!

1. Commit to a plan of action. Write down activities and things to achieve on a daily or weekly basis.
2. Convince a friend to become a “body/soul” buddy, so that you keep each other honest, with the plan to become a more energised YOU.
3. Reward yourself regularly for achieving aspects of your plan. This can come in the form of a much needed sleep-in, or a little reflexology/massage to realign those aching muscles.
4. Rest: Let you body and soul chill out and rejuvenate. Muscle and brain power is easily diminished and needs sleep, low-level activity and peace for fuel.
5. Monitor your emotions. Often as seasons and years end, our internal resources are low. Patience, tolerance and other virtuous qualities have almost dried up! So watch out for potential angry outbursts, stressful situations and confusing interactions with others.
6. Pace yourself. Do not overload your day or your week.
7. Prioritise certain events and situations. If you find this difficult, the rule of thumb is to ask yourself if these things or people will be important to you in 5-10 years time. If they will, go with it. If not……let GO!
8. Say NO to stuff that can be put off or isn’t pressing. ‘No’ is not a nasty word. Often it is the only word that will save us from ourselves!
9. Smile, it takes far less energy (not to mention facial muscles) to smile rather than to frown.
10. Be kind to someone, somewhere, once a day. What you give out will come straight back to you!

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