Record cold temperatures. Ice storms. Epic amounts of snow. Widespread power outages. Did I miss anything? Oh yeah, just this – I am DONE with winter and so ready for it to be over! And if you live anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, I’m guessing you feel exactly the same way. Spring cannot get here soon enough.
One of the (many) downsides of a long, harsh winter is that it wreaks havoc with our efforts to live calmer, healthier and sexier lives. It’s hard to exercise, enjoy fresh air and bask in the sunshine when temperatures don’t rise above freezing for weeks! And it’s even harder to eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains when all you really want to do is devour an entire pot of macaroni and cheese! And let’s not forget the effects of a frigid house and bedroom on sex and intimacy!
But, if you can stay on track with your goals until spring, your mind and body will thank you. Few things are more discouraging than setting a goal, starting to work on it, getting off track and having to start over. (Of course, we all do that a lot. I’m just encouraging us to stay on track as much as possible.) So in the spirit of “holding on until spring” and taking small steps toward living the life we really want, here are some tips for staying healthy, fit and sane:
Health
- Get as much sun and fresh air as possible. When the sun appears, bundle up and get outside. And if it refuses to come out, bundle up and get some fresh air. Although staying cozy in the house is tempting, sunlight and fresh air help you shake off the winter doldrums and clear your mind. As my sister said last week, “I want to get in bed, pull the covers over my head, and not come out until spring.” Yeah, me too. But don’t.
- Consider taking Vitamin D. Vitamin D does much more than build strong bones. It helps maintain heart health and may play a role in preventing diseases, including diabetes. It may also play a role in preventing depression. Our bodies make Vitamin D when they’re exposed to sunlight, but people in northern climates don’t get sufficient sun exposure in winter. So taking a supplement might boost your health and your state of mind.
- Avoid heavy, starchy foods. In other words, comfort foods. Sure, they make you feel good for a little while, but they leave you feeling stuffed and heavy. And most of them derail your healthy eating goals. So eat them infrequently and in moderation. Or replace them with lighter comfort foods, like homemade chicken or vegetable soup or squash soup. And enjoy “warming” treats that aren’t heavy, like specialty coffees and teas.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. You may be dreaming of garden-fresh tomatoes, peppers and herbs (I certainly am), but in winter we’re working with a more limited selection. Still, it’s possible to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Citrus and other winter fruits, such as pomegranates, are in season. Apples and bananas are usually available, and frozen fruit is always an option. When it comes to vegetables, let’s be honest – winter vegetables aren’t as much fun as summer vegetables. However, winter squash and sweet potatoes can be made to taste very good. And a medley of roasted vegetables is always delicious. So try to include two fruits or vegetables in each meal, and serve them as snacks too.
- Stay hydrated. We tend to think about hydration in summer, but water is important in the winter too. Water helps you look better, feel better and maintain good health. Make it a point to drink water throughout the day.
Fitness
- Get out and move. When you go outside to get some sun and fresh air, move your body. If nothing else, it will help you stay warm! Walk briskly. Take the kids sledding or skating. Take a short hike. Just move.
- Stay in and move. I like to exercise inside in the winter. (Have I mentioned that I hate cold weather?!) If you’re like me, figure out creative ways to move your body while staying warm. Use any exercise equipment you have at home – hand weights, exercise ball, treadmill or bike. Check out exercise DVDs from the library or find workout routines online. Do “old fashioned” exercises – jumping jacks, push ups, rope jumping. Dance by yourself, with your husband or with the kids. Dust off that forgotten gym membership. Walk at the mall. Just find a way to move your body every or almost every day.
- Consider a class. Even if you aren’t a big fan of exercise classes, consider joining one in the winter as a motivation to stay active. You can stick with an old favorite (aerobics, yoga) or try something new (all-terrain spinning, kickboxing circuit).
Sanity
- Go outside. Are you sensing a theme here? The benefits of sunlight, for your health and mental health, cannot be overstated. Try to spend a few minutes in the sun, or at least in natural light, every day.
- Work on a goal. Use the final weeks of winter to work on a goal. Organize things that have been getting on your nerves. De-clutter a room or area of the house. Start a project, or work on a project you’ve already started. For me that could be anything from cleaning out the kitchen pantry to organizing our bills and paperwork to working on my blog goals for the year. Pick something you can accomplish in a reasonable amount of time that will give you a sense of satisfaction.
- Plan for spring and summer. If you’re a gardener, you’re probably starting to think about your garden and make plans for it. You may be buying seeds, starting seedlings, drawing up plans or cleaning out the garden beds. If you aren’t a gardener, do the same kinds of things, but focusing on something that interests you. Begin making plans as a family for a spring camping trip. Get your bikes in shape for spring riding. Begin researching summer vacation possibilities. Start planning a spring weekend getaway for you and your husband. Make plans for your yard and outdoor projects. Planning and dreaming make time pass more quickly, and looking forward to something provides an antidote to the winter doldrums.
- Laugh. Watch a funny movie, television show or comedy skit. Go back to old movies that made you laugh in the past and enjoy them again. Our family thought the Pink Panther movies were hilarious when our boys were younger. My husband and I may need to revisit them to see if they still give us a good laugh.
- Enjoy sex and intimacy. Yeah, it’s a little harder to get in the mood for sex when your bedroom feels like it’s 50 degrees and your body feels the effects of too much comfort food, but do it anyway! Come on – it’s fun, it releases endorphins that make you feel great, it increases your bond with your husband, and it generally smooths out some of the winter crankiness in your life!
Winter will end soon (although not soon enough!). In the meantime, let’s do everything we can to stay healthy, fit and sane. What are you doing to stay on track with your healthy living goals this winter. Please share your ideas in the Comments – I would love to hear from you. Gaye
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Michele says
Oh my gosh! This list is fabulous and definitely needed! I’m at my wits end with winter this year. I’m pinning for sure. Thanks for sharing at Share It Sunday.
GC says
Thanks Michele. I have been at my wits end too! Thankfully, I am seeing a few signs that spring may be in the air soon!
Gaye
Nicky says
All great tips Gaye.
GC says
Thanks Nicky!
Gaye
Crystal From Tidbits of Experience says
Yep, you did forget something…an earthquake.This winter has been a wild crazy ride for sure. It’s definitely not one I’ll forget any time soon. I am so utterly far behind because being without power for several days. We’re blessed in many ways though.
These are some awesome suggestions for sure. Did you know that SADD patients are supposed to get outside whether or not the sun is out because even without the sun, they still gain a lot of relief?
GC says
Yes, we had the earthquake too! Thankfully, we did not lose power in the ice/snow storm.
No, I didn’t know that about SADD patients. That’s very good information, and it makes sense. Thanks.
Gaye
Crystal From Tidbits of Experience says
I didn’t even feel the earthquake, but others have told me about how it woke them up completely.
GC says
Our windows rattled, but I didn’t realize what it was until the next morning!
tamaralikecamera says
Visiting again from #LOBS!
I can’t stand winter, but I am trying to make the best of it. I do suffer when I don’t drink enough water or eat enough veggies. I can just feel it.
One bright side for intimacy is that tomorrow we are getting a new bed delivered and I can’t wait to snuggle in it!
GC says
Thanks Tamara. I can’t stand it either. I’m really trying to focus on drinking more water. I do think it makes a difference if I do it consistently.
And the new bed sounds great! Definitely something to look forward to.
Gaye
Rachel G says
I definitely find it harder to live healthy in the wintertime, just because I detest even going outdoors so much right now. We have a couple tools that make exercising indoors easier–an xbox kinect with dance games, a hula hoop and jump rope, those definitely help!
GC says
Hi Rachel – It is much harder to live healthy this time of year, no doubt about it. I would love to have an Xbox – I think that would make exercising so much fun. But the inexpensive things are good too. I’m using some hand weights from WalMart to tone up and get a little stronger.
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye
Lisa Orchard says
Great post! I’m working on getting myself motivated to start running again! Very hard to do this time of year! 🙂 Visiting from #Sitssharefest
GC says
Thanks Lisa. Yes, exercise outside at this time of year seems like a very big mountain to overcome. I am gritting my teeth and waiting for spring!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
Antionette Blake says
Thanks for coming back and sharing with us at the #WWDParty – Happy Valentine’s Day. #thinkspring
GC says
Yes, #thinkspring is my new mantra!
Gaye
jugglingrealfoodandreallife says
I feel like all I want to do is sit on the couch under a blanket when I’m at home. I’m having a hard time getting anything done. I never thought of myself as outdoorsy, but I am really missing the fresh air and nature. I try to get nutrition from food, but I am considering adding a Vitamin D supplement after reading up on it. May make the difference that I really need. My poor husband must be getting tired of my cold feet………..spring can’t come fast enough. You have a lot of great advice here.
GC says
You sound like my sister wanting to pull the covers over her head and not come out until Spring! I definitely have that feeling of not being able to get things done. It’s like I’m stuck in slow gear or something!
Gaye
Jennifer Johnson says
This has to be the longest winter!! I definitely need to walk away from the comfort foods!!
GC says
Hi Jennifer – Me too! I have to make a real effort not to eat things like macaroni and cheese on a regular basis!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
Lauren @ DC Healthy Bites says
Perfect timing for me to read your post .. I’ve been stuck indoors because of the latest East Coast winter blast! Once the sidewalks were cleared it was great to get outside and move even if it wasn’t for very long. I also like your sanity idea of planning for the summer/spring. What a great way to pass the time and create plans to look forward to once the weather warms. Great tips! Visiting from Let’s Get Real blog hop.
GC says
Hi Lauren – Even though I live in a (generally) warm climate, we’ve gotten more than our share of icy weather this winter. So I feel your pain about being inside so much!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love linking up at Let’s Get Real!
Gaye
honeybey says
I love everything on your list. We don’t have snow here. It’s hot, sunny and humid with showers all year round in Malaysia. But your tips are still adaptable especially on the health part. I’m still working my best to get enough fruits and vegetables on daily basis.
http://herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com
GC says
Thank you, Honeybey! A lot of people in the US and Canada are very jealous of your tropical climate right now! But you’re right – we have to take steps to be mindful of our health regardless of where we live.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
GeminiRed Creations (@GeminiRedCraft) says
I am so ready for spring! I moved to Georgia from Connecticut to escape the cold winter weather and we have been getting slammed with ice and snow the past few weeks. Brrr…
Thank you for the great reminders. I’ve been taking Vitamin D for a while now – seems many of us are deficient in these days!
GC says
I know – I am in SC and we don’t expect this kind of icy weather! At least we know that Spring will be arriving soon here in the South.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
Kim says
I always enjoy your posts. This one hit home hard as we are currently snowed in, again! I do have to get outside…I feel like your sister. I want to stay in my pjs and hibernate until May. Thanks for the push to get dressed and get out! 😉
GC says
Thanks so much, Kim. I feel like my sister too, and definitely need to push myself to keep going until Spring!
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye
passagethroughgrace says
I can’t wait for spring and your list provides many good ideas to keep on keeping on during these cold winter months. Thank you! Blessings, Mary!
GC says
Thank you, Mary! I cannot wait either! This list was born of thinking of ways to keep myself sane until Spring!
Gaye
Lori Ferguson (@Ready2Encourage) says
Wow, Gaye! Such a great list! (And were you looking in my kitchen at all the comfort pasta I’ve been making…?) Getting out of the house is key, for sure. And thanks for the reminder about vitamin D – I took it last winter, but haven’t this time.
GC says
Thanks Lori. Yes, getting out of the house (and away from the pasta!) is key for me too!
Gaye
Darby Dugger says
Hi! Visiting from the WW link up. Really enjoyed this post! Need all the tips I can get. 🙂
GC says
Thanks so much, Darby! I love linking up with Beth!
Gaye
messymarriage says
So many great tips, Gaye. I’m feeling the affects of a lot of comfort food, since my church family is bringing meals throughout my radiation treatment–which include lots of pastas, casseroles, etc. It’s all so yummy, but leaves the tummy less than stellar! Oh, and the exercise? Well, that’s been mostly sidelined, since my schedule is packed with treatment and other illness related tasks. But I’ll get back in the swing of things soon. Thanks for these reminders, my friend. I’m waving to you over here in snowy/cold Illinois and watching for Spring on the horizon!
GC says
Hi Beth – Thank you, my friend. You deserve the comfort food right now, and you will get back to the exercise as your treatment schedule eases and fatigue lifts. I think you are in one of those places right now where you just do what you need to do. Spring IS on the horizon, and healthier times are ahead.
Gaye
Bonny says
Thank you for a little sanity!! We bought a space heater specifically for our bedroom. We now are more comfortably ‘smoothing out the winter crankiness.’ The little heater has made a world of difference this winter. Great stuff, G!
GC says
Love the space heater idea! Mr. M. probably thinks that’s some of the best money he ever spent – lol!
Thanks my friend.
Gaye
DeDivahDeals says
Yes, I am too ready for Spring and tomorrow’s post features last week’s ice storm…enough is enough. I am trying to stay healthy this winter but am definitely looking to be back outdoors once the weather breaks. Enjoy your week ahead.
GC says
We are forecast to have an ice storm this week – in SC! “Enough is enough” is right!
Gaye
DeDivahDeals says
I know…we are supposed to get more at the end of the week as well. Pennsylvania got hit hard, wait until you see the pics tomorrow.
Sharon @ Faith Hope & Cherrytea says
Great points! thx for sharing
GC says
Thanks Sharon!
Gaye