Three ways to beat the winter blues

By Janet OmsteadPublished On: November 30th, 2022

I’ve been thinking a lot about time and gratitude lately.

And play, of course.

Time because it was a year ago this month that my husband Shawn was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Grateful because he continues to make slow and steady progress.

I am equally grateful to be continuing my education toward becoming a National Board Certified Health Coach this year and returning to work. I love helping others become the best versions of themselves.

This time of year (fall/winter) is especially challenging for many because the days are shorter and colder, and the holiday season can be stressful nutritionally and emotionally.

But here are three ways to beat the winter blues so you can keep your health and wellness fresh like the first snowfall!

1. Do fewer things that suck!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared this idea in a post on Instagram.

In essence, as a behaviour-change coach, permitting people to create goals and habits around things they ENJOY doing.

What a concept!

Guess what? Doing fewer things that suck will not only make you happier, but they can also help you achieve your goals.

Guess what else? To establish goals around exercise, nutrition, and managing stress, you must create new habits/behaviours that work for you. That is a fact.

And if those habits/behaviours are things you don’t like doing (aka, they ‘suck’), then you aren’t setting yourself up for success.

As the actor Gene Wilder said – “Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.” Be like Gene, don’t waste your time doing things that don’t support your health and well-being.

2. Be “All In.”

I recently read Billie-Jean King’s autobiography called “All In.” I highly recommend it.

Her vision and fight for women’s pay equity and inclusion are courageous and inspiring on and off the court.

The way she coaches people resonated with me, too, because when I work with clients, I help them understand the importance of the long-game strategy when making changes rather than the “quick fix” so that their health will be something they can count on as they age.

She writes, “Sometimes I ask people to imagine people at the end of their life. I say, “When you look at yourself in the mirror when you’re older and wrinkled like I am, how will you want to remember yourself? How will you want others to remember you? What will you say that you stood for and did with your life? I think it’s important to think about these things daily intentionally. Each of us can be an influencer, whether it’s running for office or operating in a space as intimate as our own home.” *

How do you imagine your health and wellness working for you as you age? What do you need to implement now to make that quality of life happen over time?

3. Get connected – Sign up now to participate in PLAY January 2023!

Play is a habit that provides a daily dose of Vitamin “C” – connectedness – to ourselves and each other.

Play is a positive catalyst for feeling better, and, despite what many people think, it doesn’t take much time.

Unfortunately, the message gets lost, and our mental wellness goes with it.

It’s time to change that.

I’m launching a new initiative in January, and I’d love for you to be part of it and spread the word.

It’s called PLAY January – a movement to inspire you to play every day and chase the January blues away. It’s free, fun and a way to do fewer things that suck.

Rather than “Dry” January or signing up for something that deprives you of the things you love, why not add some joy instead?

My inspiration came from a woman named Hannah Beecham in the UK, who, in 2016, started RED January – a nationwide charitable movement for mental well-being led by the community, for the community.

PLAY January is a challenge empowering you to get active and stay active every day for the month. You can walk, run, bike, garden, or do whatever you enjoy for at least 20-30 minutes. What’s great is that it doesn’t have to be done all at once – 5 minutes here, 15 minutes there, it all adds up.

These past two years have been hard on everyone across the globe, especially during the winter months. As a result, many find excuses not to maintain their physical activity, and with PLAY January, I encourage people like you to get moving daily!

Movement and daily play is essential for many reasons. Physical activity is supportive of and closely correlated with health, regardless of body weight, shape, or size, including:

Increased mental health
Decreases anxiety and depression
Improves cardiovascular & muscular health
Increases overall wellness

So if you’re new to daily play or want a challenge to get you going, join PLAY January and participate in a movement that will encourage lifelong habits.

If you’d like to join in, click here to sign-up so I can send you the details when they are ready!

Keep well, and play on!

Xoxo Coach Jan

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can help:

👉Grab a copy of my practical back-to-basics guide on embracing exercise as play here – The Play Book: How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health.

👉Follow me on The Play For Life Facebook Page, Instagram, or LinkedIn

👉Get coached. Let’s chat if you’d like help with your health and wellness! Send me an email to janlovestoplay@gmail.com with “Best Self” in the subject line.