* JKL Adventures *

It’s another new year! A new beginning with deeper desires, and new goals to achieve. We all start out strong with the best intentions. Life happens, it’s always full of ups and downs. Unexpected things will inevitably make it feel nearly impossible at times to keep up with our great start. It is also the coldest and darkest months of the year for us on the east coast. This can make it hard to get moving or find the motivation you need to get things done. Seasonal depression is proven to affect over 3 million people every year just in the US alone. For everyone who cannot wait for warm days, or you just need some pointers to get out of a funk, here’s our favorite 8 ways to avoid the wicked winter symptoms.

1. Write it out! There is so many studies on the many benefits of journaling. I know it sounds cheesy to “write down your thoughts and feelings” and whatnot, but it is promised to seriously help anyone having a down day. Even one or two sentences a day can help to get out what is bothering you. It also keeps the mind sharp in a world where our phone spells everything for us. It can’t hurt to give it a try and see for yourself.
2. Work it out! It can be a lot to ask of yourself to “workout” when it’s cold, and it’s dark, and you don’t wanna. Don’t worry, we aren’t talking about a full-on trip to the gym or anything. Just one minute…that’s all. One minute of your favorite, or least hated activity. Yoga, stretching, sit-ups, pull-ups, walking, just do something for one minute and it will get the ball rolling. There is a quote that says, a body in motion is easier to keep moving, or something along those line, don’t quote me 🙂 There is truth in it though. A quick stretch in the morning and maybe before bed can improve blood flow and overall mental and physical health.
3. Play it out! Play a game, play with your kids or your pets or your neighbor, just play. Dust off that old nintendo or chess set, or whatever you are in to, and take your mind off things for a while. How long does it really take to play a board game? Unless we are talking about the ever-lasting game of monopoly, but in general, we can all make time to step back and play a little.
4. Laugh it out! Laughter is the best medicine, so of course it would be on this happy list. Think about the last time you had a real good belly laugh or laughed until you cried. Now call up that funny friend or turn on that stand-up comedy and laugh it out. One good laugh can cheer a whole house up in no time.
5. Craft it out! Everyone has a craft or a hobby or something that they are passionate about. Art, music, hiking, talking, movies, quilting, fishing, the options are endless. Something that you love to do. If you don’t have a craft, then make finding it your passion. Keep trying different things until you ignite that spark in you that makes you feel good. Reel in your personal craft and spend some time with it.
6. Party it out! Invite some friends over. Go out for a night on the town. Whatever a party looks and feels like to you. Plan a night and live it up! Everyone needs a break from the seriousness of life from time to time. Designate one night for you and your favorite buddy to go out and about and see what you find.
7. Clean it out! Yourself, your home, your car, pick something and clean it out. Studies show that the most productive people declutter their spaces on a regular basis. Taking a messy area in our home and making it visually pleasing can give us feelings of instant gratification and accomplishment. Even going to the car wash can make us feel like we got something done that day. A nice warm soak can clean out body and calm our minds. Take ten minutes and clean something today.
8. Power it out! We all have power. Whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, willpower, we all have our own strengths. When you are feeling down use whatever power you have left and push through! Force yourself to have a better tomorrow, a better today, a better right now! Get up, get moving, and do whatever it takes to get motivated and get your mind right! You will thank yourself later.

It can be so hard feeling stuck in a negative mindset. You are the only one who can change it. Many times, depression, anxiety, or just not feeling like the best you are the results of situations, seasons, stinking thinking, really the options are endless. Well good news! The ways out are endless too and much more fun! Hopefully this helps bring some light to anyone stuck in the dark. Keep fighting for the BEST YOU!