4 Tips to Help Fight the (Winter) Blues

Hi guys!  I wanted to share some nuggets of inspiration and tips that you might find helpful when fighting the soon to be winter blues or blues in general.  Confession time, I am a positive person, in fact, my mother (I call her Mona Bear, don't ask why cause I really couldn't tell you) once said to me and I quote, "the entire house could be burning down and you would remain calm and take it in stride."  I think she is mostly right.  Don't get me wrong, Ive panicked and Ive broken down with the best of them and my life hasn't been a storybook but what has always served me well is understanding the power I have within.  So here are some tricks to get you back in the game:

1. Be Kind to Yourself

What do I mean by that?  Well,  treat yourself to something out of your normal routine.  For me thats easy, a hot pumpkin macchiato from Dunkin Donuts on my way to work in the morning ALMOST always does it for me.  BAM! Instant better mood.  For you, it might be a new tube of lipstick, flowers for your office or treating yourself to a smoothie.  You get the hint, something small, inexpensive and well deserved that turns the ordinary into extraordinary in a flash.  

2. Deep Breathing

There is nothing more invigorating and mind-clearing than taking three deep breaths.  I've practiced yoga off and on for four years and one of the basic steps you learn is to connect with your breath.  You might think this is hookie, but humor me, close your eyes and take three deep, mindful breathes...a little better already right?? Told you!  

3.  Get Physical

Speaking of yoga, my third tip is get physical!  Nothing and I mean NOTHING is better then the feeling you feel after a good ole fashion workout.  Get the heart pumping, clear the cobwebs trapped in that mind of yours.  Take a yoga class, try pilates, take a salsa class, try that kickboxing class your co-worker told you about.  Spend some quality time with your favorite person, you!  You won't regret it.  Ive never heard anyone say, "uhh that yoga class was a complete waste of my time." Even a not so good yoga class is better than no yoga class.  

4.  Pay it Forward

What do I mean by pay it forward?  Well, I talked about it a little on Instagram this week.  Make someone else's day a little better by having just come into contact with you.  Compliment their outfit or hair or the awesome job they did on that project or email or whatever, as long as its sincere, obviously.  We admire things about people all the time, mostly to ourselves in our own heads, can you imagine if we started to share with them all of the wonderful things we thought about them?  It would make their ENTIRE day, and yours by extension! I kid you not, when I am in a terrible mood I force myself to count my blessings and to be a blessing in someone else's life too. Just yesterday, a coworker seemed upset with personal stuff, I told her, go to your office, relax I am going to treat you to a nice cup of coffee and the moistest muffin you've ever had!  A simple gesture showed her someone cares and knowing I was able to care for someone made my day a lot better.  

These are a few of my tricks, what are some of yours?  Comment below and don't forget to follow! 

Thanks for reading. XOXO 💋

By LifeStyledbyErica