Experiencing the Winter Blues? – Here’s a quick pick-me-up guide to feeling more positive

Winter is no fun, the weather can be terrible, it gets dark early and this time of year can genuinely get people down.  This leads to you not feeling great mentally and physically. Here are a few techniques that I use to lift my mood which may help you too…

One thing that I find really lifts me is a walk on a crisp sunny morning, it brings a smile to my face and I just love wrapping up warm and getting out there with my two dogs! Sometimes I will travel further by getting out into the countryside on my bike but make sure I take some time to stop to enjoy the view while I’m out!

Alternatively, I will choose to stay nice and warm indoors and settle down with a book! A good novel is great escapism and I also enjoy learning so will often pick up and read educational books to expand my mind, read up on history, wildlife, or geography. Biographies of great sportspeople are fascinating to me. I like to see the dedication and commitment they have to get to the top of their sport.  Also, as Business Owners, we should read a few business books to help us develop our skills and be better leaders.

I find music can lift my mood with no real involvement on my part! I can easily sit and listen to the new King King album over and over (a bonus point if you have heard of King King!).  If I’m really feeling the vibes from the music, I may have a little dance around the room or join in the solos with air guitar or drums, don’t worry no one can see me!  If you enjoy music but have got out of the habit of listening to it, give this a try or experience the real thing and sign up to Beccy Hurrel Voice & Arts Ltd and learn to sing!

For a quick fix, I will simply smile! Smiling releases endorphins in the same way as exercise which causes the runners high (although without the exertion!).

I also try and spend my time around happy positive people and this always lifts my mood.

As Business Owners a positive mindset is hugely important…

We have to be proactive to drive our business forward and to motivate our team and if we are going to work 200 plus hours a month we need to enjoy work. Our customers and clients want to talk with people who are pleasant to be around, no one wants to talk to a misery guts!

Be Proactively Positive – if you think it is bad it probably will be

Paul McGee in his book SUMO presents the Sudo-maths;

Events + Reaction = Outcome

Simply put, it is not the event that determines the outcome, it is the way you react to that event that decides the outcome. The event is the event. The situation is the situation. What someone said or did, what happened is what it is! We can’t change that so stop fretting about things you can’t change. Choose a more helpful response. One that doesn’t involve you having a pity party, throwing your toys out of your pram, or heading for the biscuit tin!

Don’t get me wrong, we all have that immediate dip of anger and frustration when something does not go as planned. Recognise this is what is happening and move yourself to acceptance and problem solving as quickly as possible, which could take moments, hours, or possibly even days (this is Hippo time, you really need to read SUMO!)

Start by making small changes in your day-to-day life. Little changes. Use positive language, instead of saying “I’m Not Bad” try “I’m great!” (The brain does not register NOT so just hears BAD)

Look for what could go right in the day, don’t be delusional you still have to address the problems but stop and look for wins.

Don’t get overwhelmed, plan your time

If you are not careful your day will be taken up entirely with work and stuff leaving you with no time to do the things that lift your mood (see the first section!). So get organised and plan a time to relax!

Spend a few minutes at the end of each day planning what you are going to do tomorrow. Decide what you need to do both at work and home. Plan to spend time with family or friends, to read for an hour, watch a film or sport. Plan time to get out and exercise!

Wine is not the answer!
Winter is what you make of it! If you decide it is a miserable time of year, it will be! Get on and do stuff that lifts your mood, just like I do!

Need help with motivation? Positivity waning towards your business? Stuck in a rut? Email us for personalised advice