Coming out of winter like a bear from a cave!

I know it's been ages since I wrote in this space, I have missed it and felt the absence of that creative energy for months!

For those of you who read this blog and I don’t see often, I hope you are well and also enjoying the blessings of spring.

In usual style and true to the nature of my blog, being real and sharing the journey of life, I thought I would share some of the struggles of the last few months and my lifelines in the hopes someone else may feel encouraged or at least like you are not alone.

Every year I battle with my mental health in the winter months, and when I say battle, it's a daily grind with my thoughts and bear like hibernation instincts.

I have to put so much more energy into keeping myself ‘up’ and functional. Throw a few life curve balls in there to add to the list of a busy life and things like creative energy to write like this just dries up.

Even my husband commented this week on my cheeky energy and observed that winter is over, like he was saying “ There she is”. I laughed it off and flippantly replied about some different version of me emerging…. But it is actually true.

As I got wise to this pattern some years back, I intentionally put in place things that keep my head ‘above water’ through this season. I thought it may be useful to others who struggle, to share some of the things I do to do better, mentally, physically and spiritually during winter.

First just lets talk about some of the things that are true for me:

• Something in my body and soul just seems to thrive with warmth, sun, and light, so the darkness, cold, and short days of winter can grind me down pretty quickly.

There is some science behind this, which makes me feel better and not so much of a weirdo, also talking to others makes me realise there are many others out there the same, who just survive the winter every year. Some more financially wealthy literally avoid winter by leaving the country they live in for 3-4 months of the year during it.

• Basic science? Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression. Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

• My naturally overthinking, inquisitive mind looks for reason and meaning, like many humans, if I can find a reason, then I can find a solution.

• Knowing it's literally NOT all in my head and something I can just snap out of really helped me.

Understanding what God says about seasons also helped me spiritually, because I am an optimist and recovering perfectionist, I have struggled before with the illusion that I need to be ‘up’ all the time…. I don’t.

Having a strong faith in a loving God, doesn’t mean I will be perfect, cheerful, loving, kind, grateful all the time - I am also human. HUGE revelation to me was that God loves me no matter what season I am in! See my favourite verse below on this.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says this about seasons

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

This too shall pass - A quote from my mother that is always with me. Acknowledging that whatever I am going through is a season and it will pass, and reminding myself daily that God never leaves me.

What we feed grows - A principle I try to live by - Feeding my mind with good things even when I don’t feel like it, listening to good music and podcasts that motivate me to be better, pushing myself out the door for a walk when I feel like lying in bed or watching TV.

Some of the things I intentionally try to do through winter so I don't just 'survive' it.....

• Making sure I get to church, even when I really don’t feel like it, those are the times where I have the best connection with God and the energy I get from being in that positive space with other believers just feeds me for the week ahead.

• Making sure I book in regular exercise with a group of people that I like being around, who are positive, real, authentic, and fun.

• Making walking dates for friend catch ups rather than coffee dates.

• Having a routine of reading the bible, listening to good podcasts, see my favs below.

• Feeding my body with good real food, and taking lots of supplements especially vit D

• Getting a healthy amount of sleep each night.

• Taking time to laugh, alot, laughter is healing.

• Being around people who love me for who I am, who I can be fully myself with.

• Doing meaningful work when I am at work being engaged and purposeful about what I am doing.

• Spending time with my moko, they are funny and kids have a way of feeding your soul.

• Wearing colour.

• Making an effort to go bush or by the ocean for walks often.

• Taking a week's holiday somewhere warm if you can, if not then somewhere nice with hot pools - Again science behind heat in the winter being so good for shifting mood, saunas, baths, spa pools. Just stepping out of your routine for a bit is really good.

• Singing any chance I can, in the car, at waiata at work, to my moko

NOTE: When I least feel like doing something that will ultimately be good for me to do, but make myself do it, I never regret it, It always lifts me, my energy, my mindset, my spirits.

Other things I listen to, watch and go to for positive vibes:

Instagram:

I have been following Dr James on Instagram, Dr James DiNicolantonio to be exact, he is a Cardiovascular research scientist and doctor of pharmacy in the States. He is an advocate of back to basics living and nutrition

https://drjamesdinic.com/

He talks about the power of walking, sunlight, lifting weights, nutrition, sleep and water being the KING hits for things we can do to feel better in ourselves and be healthier.

He talks about healthy habits, mindset and choosing differently. All things I think most of us know, but good to have a shiny reminder when we are in a dark and difficult tunnel (A winter in life) that we do have some things in our control.

I can’t control the weather, the sun, the daylight hours but I can control what else I do to boost the things I need to feel better.

Podcasts (Spotify):

• Joyce Meyer enjoying everyday life

• World domination by Monica Ferguson (kiwi friend)

• Elevation with Steven Furtick

• Soul and Wit - Courtney Carver and daughter (Simplistic and uncluttered living)

• Taringa (Studying Te Reo all year so trying to immerse myself)

Favourite bible verse:

My final words of encouragement came from a Christian business philosopher, Jim Rohn many years ago, he used to talk about that bible verse above on seasons in business, but it can apply to all areas of our lives, I think, what we do in the spring and summer also can determine how we survive the winters. If we go in strong and energised, we have a better base to work from, more reserves in the tank.

"You must get good at one of two things; planting in the spring or begging in the fall"

Jim Rohn

Here is to a fantastic spring and summer season for you all, filling your tanks, and stores for the winters in life.

Arohanui

Jen