Roll With the Changes
Make Seasonal Shifts Work in Your Favor |
Printer-friendly version
Reviewed by Nancy Hafer, MS, RD, LD
Capture the energy and excitement of this seasonal change. Plan to make changes in your routine now to support and continue your healthier lifestyle when winter arrives. Here are some tips on making the shift in seasons work for you.
- Stop negative self-talk and block the blues. Log positive statements about yourself in a daily journal before retiring each night. Create a screen saver on your computer with your favorite inspirational quote or a vacation-destination photograph to help you visualize your goal. Make a weekly list of friends and family to reconnect with; call them to set a date for a walk in a park or mall, or to chat over lunch or coffee.
- Map your days. Use a daily planner. Enter a time block for relaxation and exercise each day. Join a health club, walking group, or yoga class, and purchase home equipment for rainy days. Ask a friend to exercise or walk with you, and commit to providing positive reinforcement to each other by keeping the date and offering kind words. Create a "rainy day" buddy-plan, too.
- Lighten up. If less sunlight affects your mood, purchase "full-spectrum" lightbulbs to mimic natural light, keep shades open, and sit next to windows in restaurants and offices. Get outside on sunny days!
- Plan meals ahead. Whether in your mind or on paper, plan your meals to maintain a healthy diet low in saturated fats, full of vegetables and fruits, and rich in lean proteins and whole grains. Create a "healthy" grocery list, save the document, print several, and post it to easily mark needed healthy foods.
- Embrace the season. Attend activities that only happen during this season. Take in a football game, enjoy the fall leaves while hiking in a state park, visit a working farm or orchard during harvest, drive to the country to enjoy the changing landscapes, or help a neighbor winterize or repair their home.
- Snag some sleep. Aim for eight hours of sleep each night, keeping your bedtime and waking times consistent. This will normalize your sleeping patterns and give you more energy and the ability to cope with stress.
|
