how to survive winter

http://www.weighitup.com.au/fitness/977/guide-to-surviving-winter

Something about Christmas delays the feeling of sorrow that accompanies the winter months. But as soon as the holiday season is over “winter” is upon us, stealing Joy, and warmth, and adding inches to our waistline by the second.

And as trivial as it all may seem, winter is tough for everyone. As someone who has struggled to function from November to April since they were very small, I have developed a few tips that may make things a little more bearable.

1. BUY A HEATED BLANKET. I tell you the truth, I did not live until I had one of these. I actually carry it around with me to every room of the house, plugging it in as I go. Everything is better when you are toasty warm under a blanket. A word of caution, however: Once you are under the blanket, you will lose all motivation to complete obligations.
2. START DRINKING TEA. I honestly don’t know why anyone wouldn’t love tea. It’s like a heated blanket for your insides. I know a lot of people don’t. But here’s the thing, not only does it keep you healthy, but it keeps you happy. Try not to add extra sugar and junk, stick to honey if you absolutely can’t drink it plain. Tea has tons of benefits for your body and can help relieve stress, digestive issues, cold symptoms and much more. Seriously, give it a shot.
3. GET MOVIN’. Okay, so I totally have no authority on this one because although I consider myself to be a lover of running, I really struggle to stay active when even my bones are shivering and it’s dark before dinner. So how do you stay moving? Well, If you have the money buy a treadmill and the Total Gym and call it a day. For the rest of us, getting to the gym can be pricey and inconvenient. If you have cable, check out the channels that offer a variety of workout videos in the am. It may be different for different areas, but a lot of major networks are programming workouts for viewers. Thanks to good ole’ Google, you can basically type in any kind of workout and find someone out in cyberspace to lead you through a body busting workout for free. My personal favorite workout routine for the winter months is to do handstands and other gymnastics moves in the living room while watching my favorite TV shows. So pick one and give it a whirl! You’ll have more energy and be happier with your self for getting off the couch (and out from under your heated blanket).
4. DRINK WATER. This isn’t just good advice for the winter months, but the colder it gets, the harder it is to remember to hydrate. I keep a water bottle with me at all times. It holds 32 ounces of water, so If I make sure to drink about 3 a day I’m good. Once you get into a routine, drinking water just becomes a part of your everyday life (as it should). Do not underestimate the power of H2O, it helps hydrate your skin and keeps your organs working as they should. Water also helps keep off the lbs. and speed metabolism.
5. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Let’s not go crazy with the “after Holiday dieting”…ok? I understand that you may have put on a few extra pounds and are desperate to lose them, but try not to focus too much on controlling everything that’s going into your body. Try to think of food as nourishment. Make adjustments to your diet as needed, but do not forbid yourself to eat certain foods every once in a while. 

I leave you, beautiful people, with this verse. To me, it is a verse of hope in a season that brings a heaviness I cannot lift on my own.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:27~