Introduction
If you’re feeling less productive than usual during winter, you’re not alone. Once the winter months come around, they bring low energy, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, feeling sluggish, and the urge to stay indoors all the time. The temptation to crawl under a blanket is very strong and it is extremely difficult to get out of bed due to the biting cold.
In order to make winters more bearable, and to get rid of the winter lethargy, here are some tips that you can add to your lifestyle. Incorporate the below information and notice the shifts in tiredness and laziness.
Quick Tips To Deal With The Winter Laziness And Slothfulness
If you’re feeling the winter blues are affecting your productivity, there are several things that you can do to ensure that it doesn’t make you inactive with the dip in temperature.
1. Exercise:
Physical activity is an important aspect to lift up your mood and feel good all winter long. Adding exercise in your lifestyle not only improves your physical health but also enhances your mental health. Various studies suggest that walking every day with brisk intensity for about 20-30 minutes can help in boosting the mood while making you feel less lethargic. Alternatively, yoga can help you ditch that lazy mood, boost the immune system, and improve defence against seasonal ailments like flu and cold.
2. Healthy diet:
Eat smartly to have a healthy and energetic winter. Foods like whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, fruits, soups, dark chocolates as well as plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables tend to enhance energy, and more importantly, provide the necessary nutrients to your body. Eat small portions of meals. Let the breakfast be calorie dense, while dinner being the easiest to digest. Consume green tea or warm water throughout the day to keep your body warm, and your metabolism alive and kicking!
3. Increase intake of Vitamin D:
One of the reasons for feeling more sluggish during the winter season may be due to the lack of Vitamin D in the body. As the sunlight decreases, the body experiences low levels of Vitamin D, causing one to feel tired and sluggish. In order to make winters more bearable, and get rid of the lethargy, expose yourself to natural daylight as much and as early as possible. Open your blinds or curtains as soon as you wake up in the morning to motivate your internal clock. Incorporate foods rich in Vitamin D in your diet, including fish, egg yolks and mushrooms.
4. Sleep enough:
Getting sleep is crucial to regenerate the body while stabilising energy and appetite levels the next day. If you did not receive enough sleep the previous night, you may find it difficult to get out of bed. Establish a schedule and refrain from using your phone after midnight. If you go to sleep on time at night, you’ll wake up feeling physically energised. It’s recommended to sleep at least 7 – 8 hours daily.
Final thoughts
Winter laziness is something that we can never say bye-bye to. However, it is only a phase that you have no control over. So don’t be harsh on yourself. Remind yourself that it’s perfectly fine if you aren’t getting everything done that you’d like to. Take it slow and have self-compassion. If you’re having an unproductive day, try stepping out to stay re-energized during the winter chills. That’s the simple secret to an active winter life.
Having said that, if you’re exposing yourself to sunlight during the day and eating the right food, but still feel like you don’t have enough energy, talk to your doctor. While it’s absolutely normal to feel more wiped out during the winter, certain medical conditions like seasonal affective disorder, vitamin D deficiency, hypertension, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome could be a cause for your overwhelming laziness.
