It’s that time of year again, dark mornings, cold weather, shortening days. This is the time when motivation to improve oneself begins to fade away. Most people hate the cold, they want to snuggle up in blankets and get all cozy drinking pumpkin spiced lattes while watching movies. Winter is when others slack off, but not us, not you!
Physical well-being is crucial to thrive all throughout winter. Regular exercise, even if it’s just 30 minutes of yoga or a tranquil walk, will keep your energy levels high and spirits lifted. Nutrition is another cornerstone; taking vitamin D supplements can counteract the effects of less sunlight. Foods such as salmon, egg yolks, milk, cheese, and yogurt also contain natural sources of vitamin D. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of quality sleep. Sticking to a consistent schedule and developing a calming bedtime routine to wind down will improve the quality of sleep you get. Staying socially connected is another way to fend off winter ruts. Plan regular meetups with friends and family, or consider joining a club or community engagement group to stay engaged with the Pace community. Meanwhile, winter is the ideal time for self-improvement. Setting seasonal goals, like journaling or reading a few books, maintains that sense of accomplishment necessary to keep us moving. Learning new skills, such as picking up an instrument or spending time on that hobby that’s slipped away, can make these months feel purposeful and productive. There’s so many goals, hobbies, and passions we want to work on over the winter, but it’s difficult to keep track of all of them and even more difficult to muster up the motivation and discipline to get them all done. This is where routine comes into play. Practice writing down your ideal day, your most efficient productive and idealistic day. Now write down all of those things that make your ideal day except give each of them a time slot that fits in with your current schedule. Assign each activity a specific amount of time at a specific time. Now do it! Lastly, embrace the season! In embracing the unique charm of winter it will feel less like a hurdle and more like an opportunity to grow and reset.