{"id":994,"date":"2022-12-19T12:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T12:27:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-10-18T22:56:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T14:56:11","slug":"how-to-stay-motivated-in-the-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/how-to-stay-motivated-in-the-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Stay Motivated In The Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mastering how to stay motivated and avoid the winter slump is one of the primary concerns for people during these colder and darker months. A study on the climate\u2019s influence on health<\/a> reveals that winter weather conditions could result in maladaptive behaviors such as sleeping more, feeling more tired, lacking energy, being messier, having dwindling motivation, exercising less and consuming high amounts of starchy foods. Many people tend towards isolating themselves and exhibiting symptoms of depression in winter because the days are shorter and nights are longer. For this reason, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or the winter blues, which is a type of seasonal depression, is more common during this season. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Lack of motivation is often tied to decreased energy levels or feelings of depression.<\/p>\n

Why Do Energy Levels Become Affected By the Cold?<\/h2>\n

According to Dr. Emerson Wickwire<\/a>, assistant director at Johns Hopkins and Sleep Medicine Director at Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Associates, says it is normal for sleep habits and activity cycles to change a bit as the seasons change, especially with longer nights and freezing temperatures in winter. In these modern times, humans do not hibernate like animals, but they tend to feel more sleepy during winter because the visual cues of light and darkness throw off the body’s natural circadian rhythm<\/a>. This internal clock is set to a 24-hour cycle and influences sleep. In ancient times, archaeological research<\/a> suggests that the early cavemen supposedly survived ferocious winters by slowing down their metabolism and sleeping longer. They foraged for food and stayed in caves to avoid the harsh elements since heating systems were non-existent.<\/p>\n

However, Dr. Wickwire points out, \u201cThe biggest mistake that people make when it comes to sleeping in winter is ignoring their body\u2019s natural rhythm. Even if you\u2019re tempted to stay in bed or on the couch all day long, unless you are sick it\u2019s a good idea to get up and move around.\u201d This means following your usual routines even if you\u2019re tempted to stay cozy in your blankets. Getting up and moving will do wonders for you. When there are misaligned circadian rhythms, the lack of sleep could result in depression, lack of motivation, and other mental health issues like SAD or bipolar disorder. But how to stay motivated when you\u2019re feeling down in the dumps?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling very low, sluggish, and slow during these frigid months, you\u2019re not alone. Less sunlight, colder temperatures, and lack of activity tend to dampen many people\u2019s moods. When your motivation feels dwindling as the freezing days creep by, it would help to remember that there are bright spots amid that darkness. Although a winter slump may seem biologically inevitable, it is not impossible to stay motivated in the colder months. It may just require a little more effort. <\/p>\n

Below are some tips on how to stay motivated this winter.<\/p>\n

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Primary Tip on How to Stay Motivated: Get Some Sun Exposure<\/h2>\n

Although the days are shorter in winter, this doesn\u2019t mean that the sun never appears. Even if you\u2019re feeling sluggish, it\u2019s important to get out of your cocoon of blankets and soak up the morning sun rays. Yes, even if this just means going out your front door and staying at the doorstep or porch. Around 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure is crucial to good health because it provides 90% of vitamin D. This nutrient is essential for calcium absorption, slowing the aging process, and disease protection. Slather on sunblock<\/a> and enjoy those minutes because it\u2019s less than the time it takes to burn skin. <\/p>\n

Vitamin D production is vital if you\u2019re worried about how to stay motivated in winter because research shows<\/a> that it has an impact on brain activity, nervous system functioning, and mood. If you want to improve your mood and gain momentum to face a long day, you need vitamin D. Although you can take it as a supplement, it\u2019s still better to get vitamin D from its natural source which is the sun. <\/p>\n

Soaking up some solar rays is an instant mood booster, and the early morning air could help clear your brain fog. It\u2019s a great jump start and could set the tone for your whole day. Remember, when you don\u2019t get enough of the sun and its precious vitamin D, you could feel even lower; and this would snowball into all areas of your life affecting work output, family time, physical movement, and other activities. <\/p>\n

Light therapy<\/a> at home (which simulates sunlight) could also help.<\/p>\n

Feel Invigorated By Connecting with Other People<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to stay motivated in the colder months, one of the best things to do is make time for the people you love. Unfortunately, evidence suggests<\/a> that being isolated increases loneliness, the risk of depression, and the potential for anxiety. It also has an impact on overall physical health. So even if you\u2019re tempted to stay indoors and enjoy alone time when it\u2019s below-freezing outside, it\u2019s important to be around other people to share conversations, enjoy a meal, and laugh together. Laughter is dubbed as one of the best medicines in the world and it could be the solution if you\u2019re having issues on how to stay motivated. <\/p>\n

However, it can be difficult to reach out to others once it gets cold because people in general tend to stay home more. Bear in mind that isolating yourself during this already challenging season could lead to an even more decreased mood. Thus, it\u2019s crucial to be around others and stay connected through the darker months. Socializing could uplift your mood and help stimulate positive feelings. More importantly, when you\u2019re around other people with high vibrations<\/a>, you could channel their energy into your life and use that to lift your spirits. To build these connections, you can do the following: <\/p>\n