So we made it to 2018! And what next? Some of us have made our new year’s resolutions, and some of us have a long list of To Dos that we know may fade in a few weeks. In Chinese tradition of new year celebration, this year we commemorate The Year of the Dog, and the dog is a particularly significant motif, one that denotes an earthiness, sense of grounding with a whimsical playfulness and enthusiasm. And in conjunction with that ethos, the spirit of this sprightly animal, we can glean that 2018 could be the year for us to put away the To Do lists, let down our hair a little and get creative, even playful.
On days when we long to see sunshine and it feels like the winter blues are settling in on us, there lies the perfect opportunity to turn those blues to gold, and when I say gold, I mean letting our best selves shine through. Here are some easy and quick tips to keep the mind creative and inspired this winter season:
1. Invest in a 30 minute walk everyday. Come grey skies or winter sun, set aside the time for this treat. It boosts the endorphins and gives you a healthy glow that does wonders for your mind and spirit.
2. Try to include greens in your diet at least 5 times a week. If this feels like too much, try eating a small bowl of easy greens like steamed broccoli or raw spinach. If you’re interested in finding more ways of adding greens to your diet, read this blog post on the lightness of greens here.
3. Make a habit of adding color around you. Whether it be in a vase of flowers, or the colour of fruit and vegetables that you eat, to even lighting a candle that brings you a warm glow, or to an accessory in your dressing, a touch of a bright colour can do wonders on the eyes and bring a sense of excitement to your daily life. Maybe even inspire something fun.
4. Eat warming foods like claypots, casseroles and foods that induce heat.
These are some of my tips on chasing the winter blues away. I’d love to hear some of your thoughts or if you have some tip you’d like to share. Please feel free to leave a comment.
Wishing you a creative and inspiring year!
Amie.
