It's that time of year again. The dreadful snow and freezing temperatures are among us. If you are like me, the sun gives you life. I feel like I honestly cannot survive without any sunlight beaming on me. I'm a summer baby (born in August); summer is MY season. If you're like me, again, autumn is alright, but deep down inside all you can think about is how much closer winter gets as each day passes by. Living in the Midwest, I get to experience every season to the extreme. Summers are extremely hot and humid. Winters are freezing below 0°F at times followed by snow and ice. I'm learning that winters aren't horrible if you incorporate an effective self-care routine. Some of my favorite things that can qualify as self-care include soup, fuzzy socks, super soft blankets, space heaters, humidifiers, and warm scents (candles, plug-ins, and incense). I like to grab plug-ins from Walmart. The wall plug is about $4 and the liquid scent refills are about $3 a piece. One refill can last for about 3-4 weeks. I also love incense! You can also get a pack from Walmart for about $1. You can also find them at your local gas station and different earth related shops. Health is wealth!! Take care of your body. I love vitamins, tea, and oils. I think it is so important to take a daily multivitamin to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins your body needs. It is very easy to feel lazy and down when you aren't being energized the way your body needs you to be. Vitamin D, also referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," is very critical to focus on during this time.
K. Aleisha Fetters in The U.S. News explains the scientific findings behind the correlation by stating that "the majority of our vitamin D is produced in the body in response to the absorption of UVB rays from sun. In the wintertime, the days are shorter than ever and, according to a review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, north of Atlanta, the sun's rays become so indirect that our bodies cannot absorb as many UVB rays as they can in the summer months. What's more, people with darker complexions as well as the elderly are less efficient at converting UVB rays into vitamin D, explains Dr. Shanna Levine, clinical instructor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York" (Fetters 2016). One thing that I think is important for ALL seasons is making efforts to work out. Movement is very important. Whether it be light workouts, yoga, or getting your steps in at the office. That great feeling after leaving the gym? It's actually scientifically proven that moving releases certain neurotransmitters in the brain that make you "happy." It's also that same feeling when you cross things off of your to-do list. That feeling of accomplishment helps to alleviate those uncomfortable feelings of seasonal sadness. Let's not forget SLEEP! Get your beauty rest ma. Rest. Sleep. Lay down. Nap. Lay your head down and rest your eyes for 10 minutes during your lunch break. It makes a difference. Your body needs rest to rejuvenate. Rest is energizing. Rest up, your body will thank you. Just don't over-rest. Moreover, I think having a consistent routine helps tremendously. Creating both a morning and night routine are essential. Some things I like to do during this time is rejuvenate my skin, stretch, pray, listen to peaceful music, and reflect. Some days I'll start my mornings with a podcast playing as I make breakfast and boil water for my tea. Occasionally, I like to meditate and do some yoga. This brings my soul at peace. It helps me practice mindfulness and simply being present. Whatever makes your soul smile, start and end your day with that. You can do it. Start with one thing at a time. And remember that consistency is key. Lastly, I like to take breaks from social media every so often. Social media can be a little draining at times if you let it consume you. The wintertime is a special time designated to BOSSING up and achieving goals so that you can GLOW all summer. Delete your social media apps and witness the life changes. It could be for 2 weeks or several months. I've committed to a week, up until 7 months on separate occasions. Regardless of the time commitment, productivity elevates. Stay warm my friends :) References: CPCOofficial. (2018, December 25). [Tweet]. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/cpcoofficial/status/1077625019507851265 Fetters, K. Aleisha. “4 Ways to Keep Your Vitamin D Levels Up This Winter.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 11 Nov. 2016, health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/2016-11-11/4-ways-to-keep- your-vitamin-d-levels-up-this-winter.
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thoughts from the soul.I have a lot to say. I'm a Leo sun+moon sign with a Pisces rising... that should explain it all. Archives
May 2022
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