Nurture Yourself3 Healthy Things to Do Every Winter Solstice
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The winter solstice comes once a year. Some of us don’t notice it. Some of us don’t even know what it is.
But some of us look forward to it, knowing it’s the shortest day of the year and daylight will increase after it passes.
Like many milestones and holidays of the year, this event can mark a moment for personal reflection and action planning. Take a moment to consider the choices you make as you live your most Nutritious Life.
3 Healthy Things to Do Every Winter Solstice
1. Sleep deep. Shortest day = longest night. Take advantage of this and plan for it to be a perfect night of sleep.
Check in with yourself to evaluate your sleep hygiene. Sleep experts recommend that you establish a simple ritual before you go to bed to tell your body it is time to rest.
Brush your teeth, wash your face, read a book or meditate for several minutes before you close the light. Make your slumber environment clear of stressors by making your room as dark as possible, turning off the television and silencing your phone. Set yourself up to be successful by making your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep.
RELATED: 10 Foods That Help You Sleep
2. Sweat often. It’s dark when we leave for work and dark when we return home. It’s only normal that motivation to move wanes without the friendship of the sun.
While it’s tempting to skip the gym in favor of extra time hunkered down, do your best to move each day, especially today.
Walk an extra few minutes to a bus or subway stop further away, take the stairs, and walk the neighborhood to incorporate a little more movement into your daily routine.
Also, you don’t have to be a weekend warrior to enjoy an hour or two of cross country skiing, a few minutes on the ice rink, or an afternoon sledding with the kids. Make time during the week for simple, active pleasure.
The benefits will show in your mood first. Remember these little bits of movement can not only add up but can also motivate us to move more and get in a “real” workout.
RELATED: Morning vs. Evening Workouts: Which is Best for You?
3. Live consciously. We spend a lot more time inside when it’s dark and cold outside. Spending time making your home or office a space that you like to be in will deflect some of the stress and help you lead a well and healthful life.
Winter cleaning isn’t so bad when you play your favorite music and the result often makes you feel great. Carve out an hour to freshen up your space today.
Light scented candles and shift some furniture around so you can enjoy it in a new way. Take a minute to look at what is and isn’t working in the space you live in so you can feel empowered in your world. Take time to appreciate your surroundings today—those in nature and those you created for yourself.
Acknowledge the winter solstice this year, and every year going forward. Honor yourself and your work as you pursue your personal Nutritious Life ambitions for another season. Make it a day every year that you press the reset button amid the chaos of the holiday season, and focus on you.
As you look forward to sunnier days, remember to enjoy the darker days, too!
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
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