Article by Olivia Ensor
The winter months are a thing of beauty - crisp mornings and cosy evenings. But the novelty can soon wear off, and we become fed up with the same cold, dark days. We start to long for warmer, longer days. Finding the motivation to do anything remotely productive can be a challenge but who says we should give in to the winter months and allow them to demotivate us. You can take control of your mindset with the following tips.
Incorporate exercise into your day
This particular tip crops up time and time again, but this is because exercise really is beneficial for our health, both physically and mentally. It has long been known that exercise boosts our body's serotonin and promotes the release of endorphins, these chemicals in our brain trigger a euphoric feeling which can elevate our levels of motivation.
Incorporating exercise into your day should be an important factor in your routine, even in the winter months. Going out into the cold to exercise may be the last thing you want to do, but this does not mean you have to opt for the sofa and skip exercise altogether. Exercise does not need to be complicated or involve masses of equipment; it can be effective even in its simplest form. There are so many free workouts you can do in the comfort of your own home.
If you are still falling short of motivation, try connecting with a friend. A friend can make the thought of exercising in the cold more enjoyable - exercise becomes more of a social aspect. You are less likely to skip if another person is relying on you to turn up.
Plan for the bad weather
The cold is just one caveat of winter. When the wind, rain and snow come around, our plans can come to a complete standstill, and this can knock our mood and plummet our motivation levels. Put in place contingencies for when the bad weather hits. A plan B is always possible.
What activities do you enjoy the most? Can these be done indoors? Take advantage and use this time to do the things you love or find new hobbies and interests. Invite friends round. Get the family together. Anything that sparks enjoyment.
Consume feel-good nutrients
Certain nutrients have a profound impact on maintaining a healthy brain and a positive mindset. These include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and zinc. Introducing these feel-good nutrients into your daily nutrition can help combat a negative mood. Good Green Vitality contains a combination of brain-boosting nutrients and adaptogenic herbs that have been shown to optimise mood state.
Our ability to get outside and soak up the sun is limited in the winter, which means our body's vitamin D levels suffer and with that, our mood. This lack of vitamin D can sometimes trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition characterised by depressive tendencies. Ensuring you get enough vitamin D is easier with a dose of Good Green Vitality - just one serving contains 400% of your recommended intake.
Remind yourself of the why
It can be hard to stay motivated when you lose sight of the why. Remind yourself of the things you might want to accomplish or the places you would like to go. What are your favourite things to do? What is it that you want from 2022? Providing yourself with little reminders can help motivate you to achieve your goals.
If you are not sure of your reason why, it isn't too late to create one. Set yourself a goal that you would like to achieve over the next few months. It doesn't have to be ambitious, it can just be your reason why.
