WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE #5TTT
Hi all,
The world is changing seasons. Whether you are like me and transitioning into winter or you are in the northern hemisphere transitioning into summer, we are all making a ‘change’.
These changes, even though they happen year in and out, still take a toll on our physical and mental health. I know for sure that heading into winter, right now I feel more tired, sluggish and less like the energetic me!
So how can we help ourselves transition smoothly? What can we do to give our mind and body what it needs to start the new season with a bang? Check out my 5 top tips below for when the seasons change.
Find a routine
Especially during the start of the transition, keeping a routine will be key to maintaining all the good habits you had from the season previous. Now when I get up it’s pitch black outside – but I still stick to my same wake up time and this makes it easy for my body to work out when I have had enough sleep and it’s time to rise. Same goes for the summer folks – it may be easier to stay up later because it’s lighter outside but stick to your bedtime and it will know when you need to sleep.
Keep moving
Who wants to go outside and move when it’s wet and cold outside? Who wants to move when you break into a sweat as soon as you step outdoors? Whether it be hot or cold for you right now it is going to be a struggle. But we all know that keeping our bodies moving and grooving is going to keep that blood flow pumping and help us stay energised. Too cold? You will warm up soon enough. Too hot? Maybe you take your workout indoors at this time of year. Figure out what you need to do to keep your body moving.
Choose foods in season
Seasonal foods are the healthiest foods for a reason. They are at their prime, aka full of their biggest nutrient bang, and are full of the energy you need right now. Unsure what is in season? Usually it’s the produce that is on offer/special at the supermarket. In season = in abundance. A win for your body and a win for your pocket!
What are you missing?
This is a great opportunity to assess your body to see if it is lacking anywhere. If it is winter, maybe you need to check in with yourself to see if you are getting enough vitamin D. I also like to have on hand access to blankets in my apartment so if I feel cold it is easy to warm up. If it is summer, maybe you need to make sure you carry a water bottle with you and keep those fluids topped up. Or you need to start seriously thinking about adding some sunscreen to your makeup routine. Maybe you need to start checking your electric fans and air con to see if it is all working correctly. Pre-empt the seasonal changes and make sure you are ready.
Embrace the change
This one is the biggest winner for my mental health. Embrace the changes of the season. Yes I may wish I was still in shorts and t-shirts every day and that I could head down to the beach for a paddle. But there is something special about winter too. The crisp cold air that you feel on your face all while being surrounded with layers of clothes keeping you warm. Crunching the leaves underneath your feet that have fallen from the trees. Digging out your slow cooker to make soups, stews and chilli. Oh and sipping away on mulled wine again… in June… yeah I may never get used to how odd that sounds!
And you may be sitting in front of your air con all day because it is too hot to do anything (me a few months ago) but just think of how good it feels to jump into the refreshing sea. How tasty those perfectly ripe strawberries and cherries are. And how refreshing that cocktail is when you sit down after a busy long summers day.
Whatever transition you are making right now I hope it is a good one! Enjoy!