The good old doldrums of winter. This past week was brutal, meetings starting at 6:30 a.m. You read my late night motivation post - 6:30 a.m. wasn't really my thing. I digress... As I was sitting in my meeting, we have a huge screen with everyone from across the state on video and I couldn't help but notice the gorgeous blue. It was coming through the windows of all the folks on the screen and it was coming in our window at the office. The most lovely, yet depressing shade of blue. So I can't help but wonder is this where the concept of "winter blues" originated?
The color blue is associated with the throat chakra. The throat chakra is positioned between the head and heart, linking feeling and thought, the throat chakra is tied directly to the purification of the body, mind, and spirit. The throat chakra symbol is oftentimes depicted as shades of radiant blue, the color of wisdom, faith, purification, and trust. I wanted to include this because I do believe our chakras do connect our mind body and spirit.
Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. Furthermore or coincidentally enough, the winter blues are actually categorized as SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is triggered by the reduced number of daylight hours during the winter months, and other factors, such as cold temperatures and weak daylight, can make symptoms worse. I still think those glorious shades of blue have something to do with the term winter blues.
I found this wonderful website Positively Present - www.positivelypresent.com and it offers a number of helpful tips and tricks for any number of topics. I found excellent advice and a good ten step process for beating the winter blues. Since this appears to be my year of lists, I will suggest a few of my tips and tricks that helped me (tremendously) to keep those sucky winter blues at bay.
A. Yoga - Yoga has been my saving grace for a year now. My one year anniversary of practicing yoga is in February. Never once have I practiced yoga and thought, I wish I hadn't done that, I wish I had spent my time, money, energy elsewhere. It gets your body moving and quiets your brain. I recommend just 10 minutes, try it - you will not be disappointed.
B. Plan Something - Fill up your calendar. I am not known for my expectational planning ahead skills, I prefer to be a bit more spontaneous... but I find when I plan something small and I have something to look forward to - it helps tremendously. Schedule a massage, buy a new book, plan a lunch date with a girlfriend, grab coffee with a colleague, something that adds a little sparkle to your week. Try it, it will help tremendously.
C. Rest - your body needs it. If you feel tired, take that signal from your body and rest. I can't say I have a perfect track record here, but it is very close. I listen to what my body is telling me and I try to follow suit.
F. Nutrition - now if you notice, the ABC grading scale - that is the grade I would give myself for following my own advice. I am not the best when it comes to nutrition but it is so important. I plan to make changes ASAP. This is the energy that fuels your ship, make sure it is good and it is balanced. Quality and consistency are key here, eat good food and eat it regularly. I need to take my own advice here.
We've made it this far - middle of February, the downhill slide into spring. Keep Pushing Through. It can't rain all the time. Take care of YOU!