And so Winter is finally upon us and Summer seems a lifetime away.
We always find the 1st few weeks of Winter tough going, adjustment wise if nothing else.
17 hour darkness, cold biting and heating cost through the roof. But hey, what can you do about it?
We stay positive, and why not....
Because the seasons are a great lesson in stress as they reiterate in nature's real time that anxieties and negative feelings are only temporary or “seasonal”.
As sure as Winter has arrived, Summer will eventually return too, and so on and so on.
John Keats even wrote a poem about this which explained the phenomenon in the words “She dwells with Beauty, Beauty that must die”.
We keep this in mind on the dark winter mornings when Her Highness the baby wakes us at 3am for unannounced pyjama parties and the daylight appears never to arrive.
We laugh at one another even when comparing our Winter aches and pains.
LouLoU™ has dug out an old SAD light which we put on in the mornings.
We think the bulbs have gone on it for it to be of any real use but it makes the kitchen look like Blackpool Illuminations and it helps lighten the long mornings!
It deceives you into thinking it is warmer than it is so saves on the heating as well :-).
We try to watch good uplifting TV – none of this dark, moody nonsense - Death in Paradise and The Mallorca Files being the current cases in point as the scenery if nothing else acts as a character in itself and keeps us cheerily spirited.
LouLoU™ uses cleaning as a stressbuster.
She was on emptying the cupboards at 3am the other morning, but felt great afterwards.
We have a great framed pic that LouLoU™ took of the sun rising at our favourite holiday park in August holding pride of place on the wall.
This too keeps us fresh and reminds us of the seasonality factor.
And remember, it takes something ridiculous like 280 muscles to grimace and only 7 to smile, so there has to be a lesson in that somewhere!
Of course, even smiling aside, Winter beings with it isolation for many and we hope they are keeping their spirits up in these challenging times.
We have a name for all the anxiety out at the moment – we call it “Frustration Nation” - and its important that anyone feeling frustrated knows they are not alone, as this simple recognition can be immensely therapeutic and help people realise it is okay to ask for the help which is out there.
And its okay to feel down sometimes - it’s nothing to be ashamed of and merely part of the natural human condition, a point to which we have returned in a number of our posts.
Without ever feeling down, we wouldn’t enjoy the ups of life.
It is what separates us from being robots by giving us that magical ability to be empathetic.
And nothing cures your own physical and emotional aches and pains more than sparing a thought or 2 for others.
It can really make life easier and is certainly more satisfying than adopting a Grinch mentality.
If at a loose end and capable of doing so, check in on an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, or if able to volunteer your services over this Winter period.
There are plenty of worthy causes needing such support, Samaritans and local hospices which do such invaluable work to name but a couple.
And it might even save your heating bills in the process!
Instead of resenting the ice cold weather, learn to embrace it and experience its brilliance.
It is after all part of our planet and in our DNA.
And what other country can create such vastly different climates over the course of a few months, weeks and in some cases, even days?!
Of course keep warm and don’t go out naked tree hugging in the snow, but if capable, a minute long stand at the door to draw in and enjoy - yes really enjoy - the freshness of the air and capture Winter's brilliance of spectacle and sensibility, can really cleanse the system, help breathing and makes you feel more secure and cosy when you get back in.
If you can manage a good walk, even better.
Wrap up warm and work it into your daily routine.
We force ourselves to walk Her Majesty to Nursery and back regardless of weather daily and this gets us 8km per day in without even noticing it.
With time on your hands, it’s amazing how many bargains you can secure by what we call “Dot Shopping” around to capitalise on specific offers if you give the time to it.
Its a little hobby horse of ours that uses time wisely and productively.
And nothing raises a smile in this climate more than a good bargain.
We will share our specific bargain trawl tips separately 😉 .
We also have a DVD that plays nothing but an open, burning fireplace that we will start running on the TV before long – it take us back to the good old days of sitting at our grandparents around a proper coal fire, but without the smell and dirt.
It felt silly when we first put it on but now it’s a central Xmas focus.
We love the fact that it comes with the sounds of a fire burning too.
All very authentic and creates a wonderful household ambience at a tiny cost.
Anyhow, look out for our blog in the current days covering the importance and emotional significance of taking self care from a sleep perspective.
And do in the meantime share any thoughts or tips you may have, as we would be delighted to hear from you.
Love as always, LouLoU&MikeyM™ ❤💙