Feeling a bit low and more tired during winter, is often a consequence of shorter and darker days. Lockdown surely is not helping, making it easier to feel overwhelmed and low-spirited. However, there are still things we can do to improve our mood and feel more energised. Sticking to healthy habits plays an important role now more than ever and having a solid structure can help you get the most out of it. For this reason, we would like to share our Beat the Winter Blues Ritual along with a few top tips to help lift your spirits. Add this ritual to your daily routine to fully experience the benefits that come with it.
What are Winter Blues and why do they affect us?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), commonly known as winter blues, is a feeling of sadness and gloom caused by winter and affects around 2 million people in the UK (source: NHS inform). It is suggested that the reason for this is the lack of daylight which can affect our hormones. Sticking to a healthy routine is crucial during this period and our Beat the Winter Blues Ritual will help you to do so.
Beat the Winter Blues Ritual
1. Do a 10-minute meditation when waking up.
Don’t look at your phone or scroll through social media as soon as you wake up. Instead, focus on your breath and do a quick meditation to start the day with a clear and calm mind. Spray our awarded Beat the Blues Room Spray before starting the session to create an uplifting and invigorating atmosphere; this will help you set positive intentions for the day. If you are new to meditation, there are many apps that can help you, including Headspace who have also recently released a ‘guide to meditation’ on Netflix.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast and take your time while doing it.
Breakfast is known to be most important meal of the day as it gives us the energy we need. Prepare yourself a balanced meal including a source of complex carbs like oats or brown bread, proteins like yogurt or eggs, healthy fats like avocado or nuts, and /or a portion of fruit to get a boost of vitamins. Try not to rush your breakfast and if needed, wake up a bit earlier. Make sure you choose ingredients that suit you personally and do not bloat you. Chew a lot to help your body digest.
3. Take a morning shower or bath.
Morning showers help decrease stress whilst boosting your energy, and there is nothing better than that fresh morning feeling to wake you up and get you ready to start the day. Use our Beat the Blues Shower and Bath Oil for the ultimate uplifting and transformative bathing experience. Taking a moment of relaxation before kicking off the day is a great way to organise your thoughts and get your head in the game.
4. Take a walk outdoors
Since we are housebound and the lack of daylight is one of the main causes of winter blues, spending some time outdoors is very important for both mental and physical health. Taking a walk is a good way to combine outdoor time with physical exercise and it is also easy to fit into busy schedules. Morning walks are a great way to improve mental clarity and boost your energy, so even if you you’re busy, try including it in your schedule by walking when you can or getting off the bus a few stops before. Hold on to our Beat the Blues Pulse Point for a pick-me-up while on the go!
Taking care of ourselves by making the most of the little things, can really improve our mood and spirit during winter, especially during lockdown. In moments where your mood is low, try calling someone close to you and share your feelings; most of the time things feel ‘bigger’ in our heads and talking out loud can help put things into perspective. Look for consistency, not perfection, and remember not to get discouraged if your habits don’t change overnight.
The awarded Beat the Blues range, combined with healthy habits, can help to overcome those moments when we may feel low and uplift our spirits!
