winter blues
Beat the BY SHARON BOOTH
Extra blankets are on and the slow cooker has made its annual reappearance. Even with our Aussie version of winter the chilly mornings can make us want to pull the covers back over our heads and press snooze…again. And leaving work, even on time at 5pm to find it’s already dark outside might mean we’ve missed a good dose of sunshine for the day. And after two years of Covid and its disruptions, looking to the coming winter months may leave us at times feeling discouraged…gloomy…blue. I’ve been asked to share a little piece about beating the winter blues*. I’m thinking about this opportunity as an invitation. To pause for a moment, to notice our thoughts and fill our hearts with ‘kindness’. To reflect on how we’re doing, and what might support, nourish and grow us, even through this wintery season. Following are a few simple ideas about this. They won’t be for everyone, but my hope is that each point might encourage you to think intentionally about your own self–care this winter. Meet with kindness daily What if you cared for yourself this winter the way you care for a loved one? If you did so, what foods might you be
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ON T H E C OA S T – FA M ILIES
eating and enjoying? How much sleep would you be getting? How would you talk to yourself? What is something you might say to yourself that is compassionate, helpful and supportive, even now as you read this? Keep moving and doing Physical exercise is really important for supporting our mood. Research also shows that when we are feeling ‘blue’, exercise, self–care and the activities that we usually enjoy can start to drop off our routines. Whilst winter might reduce some of the options for favourite sports or activities, with some creativity we may discover winter’s new offerings. Perhaps you might brainstorm a list of ways to get moving, and to enjoy pleasant activities with a friend or family member. Then plan for them in your diary. Are there places you’d like to visit? A gallery? Museum? Could you learn an instrument or take a cooking class, check out a new park, or a bushwalk? Stretch, sing, walk a dog, pray, have a bubble bath, give a massage…Moving our bodies, and making plans for fun and participation, can help lift the blues. Visit with nature I know it’s cold out, but let’s rug up and head outdoors when the sun is shining. Pause. Notice. Breathe in. Exhale. The natural environment can nourish us whether we’re alone on a walk, with a friend or together as a family. And speaking of family, no matter what the season, experience has taught
me that kids and beach walks will always result in the need for a towel on the way home. But there is loads to do outdoors with kids in winter on the Coast, even without the swim. Getting into nature, even during the cooler months helps kids learn about the world and to appreciate its varying landscapes. I have fond memories of being rugged up for wintery walks on the beach, bucket in hand, pink–nosed, marvelling at how my bit of found woody treasure looked a lot like a duck, and gathering a collection of particularly smooth stones. We might rake up the leaves and then have a leaf toss before putting it all in the compost. Walk through the bush and notice the way you can feel your own warm breath in the cool air. Feel the textures of leaves and rocks. Listen to the bush sounds. Spot birds. Cloud watch. Nature provides an endless sensory playground and opportunity to be with ourselves and one another in moments of curiosity, discovery and joy. Create a culture of gratitude This seems to be the often trending topic in many magazine and social media articles (I’ve even seen gratitude journals at KMart). But bringing attention and awareness to the good things that are present and expressing appreciation to the people around us, nourishes our hearts and relationships (and journaling about that can help us capture it). Gratitude doesn’t have to focus on ‘big’ things. The little things count. Right now I am grateful for my heated throw rug. Noticing the new artistry of winter’s landscapes can remind us to gather the
