Full disclosure. It's a really cold winter day and I'm looking for ways to make it until spring. Maybe you are, too!
When I think about winter, I turn to nature. It's a time of hibernation and dormancy. It's a time of preparation for new growth. With that in mind, I'm reflecting on ways we can invest in ourselves and savor our days during this season.
Part of this is nurturing our bodies and focusing on our health, using a variety of the tools at our disposal.
Keep moving. Little things will help in the moment, even if you are sitting at your desk all day. Try rotating your ankles and wrists five times each direction. Feel those joints loosen up! Reverse your hunch by leaning back, pulling back your shoulders and looking at the sky. Stretch out your hands and shake them out to relax your fingers.
Think about your physical goals, considering the basics of flexibility, balance, strength and endurance. Take on bigger goals if that suits you. Training for summer activities can be motivating and enjoyable.
Another part is building our minds.
Some people travel, which is great but not always an option. You can learn and grow by exploring new places without leaving home. Maybe there's a country you have always been interested in.
Or maybe you are curious about your past. Find out where your ancestors came from, as best you can. Then learn about those places. What's it like there this time of year? What did people eat? Cook some dishes to get a taste of their lives.
