Do you like winter? Well, when it is cold outside, we might feel winter blues and suffer from seasonal depression. But have you ever tried to savor every season of the year including winter?
Studies show that gratitude and appreciation might reduce stress, get you in a better mood, help you sleep better, and in general, make you happier and your life longer.
If you need help in practicing gratitude, you can listen to my interview with Sue Urda on how to become grateful and happier one step at a time.
And by the way Winter Solstice – the longest night of the year is coming very soon – on December 21st. After that, the days are getting longer and longer, and it means that spring is coming….
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”–Ashley Smith
Here are Winter Appreciation Tips from the article by Celina Ottaway How to Savor I found in my favorite Body+Soul magazine.
Before the season slips by, hit the brakes a bit and explore the pleasures of simply being…
1. Slow down.
Try not to rush; pause. Wiggle your toes. Stay in the day.
2. Soften your focus.
While the details seem all important in the moment (What a gift wrap should I buy? Will my casserole be a hit?) try not to get caught up in them. Because while no one will remember the mismatched placemats., the wine, you served or the outfit you wore, they will remember how hard you laugh.
3. Roll with it.
You won’t remember the placemats either. Forget little things.
4. Observe.
Try to see the people and things around you as they are, not as you wish them to be.
5. Awaken taste.
Rather than eating just to quell hunger, and fill your belly, experience food as sensual pleasure. Whenever you put something in your mouth, make it a point to really taste it.
6. Breathe first.
When stress is high, it is easy to panic. We tend to take shallow breaths, when we are anxious, which only makes things worse.
Try this: Inhale deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. Tell yourself you can get through this.
Let us breathe, smile and be happy during cold winter if we want to feel and look fabulous, shall we?
© Irina Wardas, HHC
Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert
NaturalCounselor.com
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