Is it nearly summer yet? Will it ever stop raining? Should I take up day drinking? Plus other questions it's possibly best not to start mulling on too heavily. So instead, here are 8 freshly random ideas for lifting your spirits this winter.

(They help for me anyway, but obviously don't hold back on sharing those creative ideas of your own for lifting your spirits this winter!)

1

Wear bright colours. Yes, it's a thing. Dopamine dressing is said to release a rush of feel-good happy hormones. Black might be slimming but colour is so much more YEAH BABY! to the spirit.

IMAGE ADAPTED FROM AN ORIGINAL PHOTO BY REPENTANDSEEKCHRISTJESUS VIA UNSPLASH

2

Count thy blessings. I know, I know, gratitude has almost become a cliché these days, but seriously, have you ever spent even just a few days on the trot intentionally writing down 5 things you are grateful for on that day?  If it doesn't do something for ya I'll eat my hat. There is also plenty of brain science backing it up. In a hyphenated word, life-changing.

3

Move thy body. For sure, the weather's not much cop to be outside at the mo. And in all honesty, although I could happily sit around cross-legged staring at my navel for a good part of a weekend, actually participating in physical exercise is admittedly not one of my greater strengths. But how about flipping on the sounds and shaking it out in the house to Ladyhawke's 'My Delirium'? Oh my dear heart, yes.

4

Along the same vein - SING! This story might sound slightly peculiar, but recently I found myself quite unexpectedly (on both counts) at my dying mother's bedside during the days, and very randomly doing different  activities during the evenings that just coincidently happened to involve singing. (not an activity I would typically make a beeline for). But the singing was hugely soul energising, and thus I highly recommend getting yourself along to the likes of Pub Sing in Wellington and Nelson Voice Collective in Nelson, or whatever might be happening in your locale – maybe a church or anywhere really where singing is involved as a thing. SO great for the soul.

5

Go girls on tour. Take an afternoon, a day, a weekend, whatever out with other women. Do something different together, anything that you don't normally do... may I take the liberty of suggesting one chooses positive, light-hearted and uplifting women to whom their varied life experiences have warmed and authenticised their hearts through (they can be found in all ages, and you can tell who they are by how you feel after being around them).

6

Potter. Make tea. Water and talk to your plants. Read. Draw a bath. Rub the dog's belly. Write in your journal. Stretch. Phone a friend. Make love-infused nutritious food that you heart. Watch old movies. Paint your nails. Meditate. And if it's raining and grey outside, then in my humble opinion there's really no good reason to stray too far from your comfort-giving bed and hot water bottle.. There's something to be said for simplicity.

IMAGE ADAPTED FROM AN ORIGINAL PHOTO BY ELENA CORDERY VIA UNSPLASH

7

Slather yourself in comforting / uplifting essential oils. Crank up your diffuser. As a general rule, citrus oils can be both uplifting and comforting at the same time. Floral oils, calming and soothing. While oils sourced from trees and the roots of plants are typically grounding and peace-inducing. Clearly, I'm a proponent and raving fan, being that I'm a proud doTERRA essential oils wellness advocate and all.

8

Email your boss / clients to advise that unfortunately you have much more to get through than you had anticipated and, terribly sorry, but they'll have to wait a few more days to receive such & such and so & so from you ...i.e., so you can take the pressure off and give yourself necessary time to do some appropriately (and necessary) soul-feeding things.

P.S. And have you noticed the days are already getting just that little bit longer here in New Zealand? Praise be, springtime ahoy!

Much love,

xAnthea

PLEASE NOTE:
I am in no way masquerading as a health professional. Any content published on this website has been inspired largely by my own personal experiences or those of others, and should not be understood or construed as professional or medical health care advice. Neither is this website intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health condition or disease. In full transparency, while aspects of this site may enable a source of income to help make its continued upkeep possible, the central focus is always encouragement which is lavished freely. Any products & services promoted have been used by me personally and shared only where I believe they may be of interest and benefit to you, dear reader.