“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon.”
Dr. Seuss
December is here. Does anyone else want to crawl in to bed and wake up when it’s spring? The daylight hours are shorter and the chill in the air makes you want to eat carbs all day and sleep. So how can we combat what our bodies are telling us to do? Here are a few of my strategies.
Get Enough Sleep
Don’t fight it, just get plenty of rest. Winter is a perfect time of year for getting some quality shuteye. Everything I have been reading lately focuses on the importance of a good night sleep for optimal health and wellness into our twilight years.
Currently, my daily workload has lightened up immensely. My kids are grown and I’m retired. I’m not suggesting I’m bored; in fact, I have all the time in the world to focus on whatever it is I want to do. And sometimes, that means I want more sleep!
Hopefully, you can find time for yourself and get all the sleep you need. Easier said than done, I get it. But it is essential to get a good night of sleep. It works wonders for your health, especially during this time of year.
Eat Well
Our bodies seem to crave carbohydrates more during the winter. A high carb diet usually results in a weight gain, which is something I personally struggle with.
Bring on the salmon and eggs…lots of eggs! I try to eat at least 2-4 eggs per day. These are great sources for omega-3 fatty acids and choline which is important for a healthy brain.
Join a free site with your friends (or even strangers) to help with eating healthy. I use myfitnesspal.com. Download the app. It’s free and fun, and I love seeing what my friends are eating to stay healthy.
Here’s my challenge to you. Cut back on processed foods. Actually, try to avoid them completely. Eat nothing from a bag or box for thirty days. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
Get Outside
Go outside in the fresh air every day. Take a walk. if it’s too cold, stay home and shovel snow. When you’re done, shovel your neighbors sidewalk. This exercise is invigorating and healthy for the mind and body. Just don’t overdo it, and check with your physician first.
We have a rule in our house. Any day it is above 17 degrees Fahrenheit, as long as the wind and snow conditions are not bad, we will go for our walk. We do a shortened version, however, because our dog is not a breed that does well in the cold.
Get a Fitbit or any other device that will help you track your daily activities. Invite your friends to do fun online challenges to help you achieve your fitness goals. The apps are easy to use and especially helpful, in light of social distancing measures. When the weather is bad, I walk around my house until I reach my step goal.
Don’t Stress Out!
There are countless ways to relax in the winter. Simply pick which is right for you. Here are a few easy-to-do suggestions:
Thank you for reading! – Barb, the River Blogger (Btrb)
Feel free to reblog anything I post. I welcome all comments and discussion.
The River Blogger 
I love all the Loki pictures! 🐩
Glad you are following my site! 💕
Hi Barb, walking in 17 degrees? Brrrrr! You’re much heartier than me! I am definitely on board with the wine & chocolate though!
It’s funny, when I started adding my love for wine in my posts, people started reading them! So I always throw a wine pic in each post. Thanks for reading! 🍷🍫
Very true! We wine lovers have to stick together…its almost wine time here. Have a good weekend!
Lol! I’m having a glass right now! Cheers to you!
Me too! Cheers back to you!
Great reading as usual. Good tips on enjoying winters in the North Country.1
Thank you, Liz 💕
When all else fails… wine.
I’ll drink to that!
🤣
That should be my tag line! I say it all the time! 🍷 Thank you for reading! Cheers!
Words to live by.
😉
Awesome!
Thank you!