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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Thoughtless Thursday: Let's Brighten Things Up a Bit!!




Thoughtless Thursday


We are so tired of Winter!!

Don't let the dark days and cold nights bring you down.

Most of us lack all-day energy and we find it hard to motivate ourselves to leave our homes and seek adventure. Cold weather along with fewer daylight hours stress us out physically and emotionally.

If the weather keeps us indoors and the darkness causes us to wind down earlier, then we should honor our biorhythms instead of overriding them with artificial light and technology. Let’s perceive winter as an opportunity to turn inward to cocoon and hibernate, before emerging in the spring with exciting new plans and new vibrations. Remember: instead of using artificial light, we can always flick the switch and turn on our inner light.

Here are some tips on warming your heart during the cold weather:

* Exercise: Turn on the music and move. Exercise raises your body temperature and releases happiness chemistry.

* I am a firm believer in a steaming cup of java!!  Slow down and relax. The warmth permeates your body. Different flavors contribute to aromatic relaxation, releasing soothing memories.   Experiment and discover your favorite de-stressor.

* Take a hot bath: A long hot bath with a cup of chamomile tea added to your bath water is a great muscle relaxant, emotional de-stressor and will please your senses.

* Change up what you eat: Switch to a winter diet of rich stews, hearty food made with beans and root vegetables, and chunky, thick soups to give you extra energy as well as to keep you warm.

* Meditate: Try a candlelight meditation!  Sit comfortably and stare at a lit candle for one minute; then close your eyes for 3-5 minutes to see what heart-warming images come up for you.

* Eat fish: Salmon, tuna and herring, walnuts,and omega 3-enriched-eggs.  Omega 3s are guaranteed to lift your mood; they are heart smart and brain smart.

* Do some indoor gardening: This time of year, you can plant some spring bulbs in colorful pots and watch them bloom in your home: tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, narcissus and daffodils. Or you can buy bulbs already in bloom at your local supermarket.

* Brighten up your home: Dark winter colors like red, dark green and purple need to be lightened up with their pastel versions to brighten things up!! Consider pillows and fresh flowers, which generate positive energy.

* Start something: Look forward to a weekly theme get-together with friends like book clubs, exercise clubs, art parties and cooking clubs.

* Start your spring cleaning early: Clean out a drawer, a closet, your basement, garage or all of the above and watch your spirit soar. You will discover new space and feel liberated. Home will become a more serene, purer place to nest.

Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of "Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life" To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com.







14 comments:

bichonpawz said...

Those are great tips. I frequently feel sluggish in the winter.

bichonpawz said...

I love this! Winter is definitely getting me down. And then I feel guilty when I go to bed earlier, but maybe I should just enjoy the relaxation time, knowing that when Spring does come I'll have renewed energy for getting more done.

bichonpawz said...

All great ideas Jeanne!!! Hope you're safe and warm!!
hughugs

bichonpawz said...

What wonderful tips! All but the fish eating one! HA! Eww! I am definitely not a fish person lol , my fav tip of all those was relaxing with a good cup of java!! Oh yes!
Loved your post, thanks for sharing and thanks so much for linking up to Thoughtless Thursday with Ruckus and I.
((husky hugz))
Frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky

bichonpawz said...

All great tips. Or....you could head to the desert and sunshine.

bichonpawz said...

Jeanne, what a SUPER post!!!! Love, love, love the tips you shared with us; especially with the severe snow storm we're getting here today.

"Let’s perceive winter as an opportunity to turn inward to cocoon and hibernate, before emerging in the spring with exciting new plans and new vibrations."



Exactly! And that's how I perceive it.


And it's ironic you mentioned 'a steaming cup of java' because that's what I'm drinking right now!


Stay warm, my friend!
X to you and the girlz!

bichonpawz said...

Those are terrific ideas! As my Icelandic mom says, take extra fish oil in the months with an R in them. That's when you need the extra supplements you aren't getting from sun. But since I don't have to worry now that I live in sunny SoCal, I'm not taking that tablespoon of Cod Liver Oil I used to growing up in New Hampshire! These are truly lovely and peaceful thoughts on making it through a northern winter.

bichonpawz said...

What great ideas, thanks for sharing them!!

bichonpawz said...

I agree with all of those methods, especially the java!

bichonpawz said...

Those are great suggestions! Thank you for sharing them!

Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly

bichonpawz said...

Lots of great ideas here - thanks from Mom! You know us, we LOVE the cold and the snow - bring it on.

Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

bichonpawz said...

I am alsoo sooo tired of winter, and so is Kirby, it still gets so cold here I can't even take him for a walk, he will just not move and shiver and shiver (he has hair noot fur) so I've been trying to bundle him up but we both can't wait! p.s- I love the face full of snow!~

bichonpawz said...

Great ideas and tips. Happy Valentine's Day to you and may you and your family have a fabulous day.
Best wishes Molly

bichonpawz said...

Someone commented that we had similar posts yesterday and I love it! You have wonderful suggestions here, sure to work. I like your idea to go with your biorhythms. Have a great weekend!