Enduring the cold becomes more manageable when there's sunshine, but this winter seems exceptionally long and challenging with its perpetual grey skies.

Here are a few ways I have found to help handle a murky, grey winter:

We all know the importance of physical fitness and how it impacts our health. During the pandemic, most of us valued the importance of getting outside for simple walks and staying active. When we are physically fit, we enjoy the ability to live, move and play with a level of freedom and endurance that feeds both the body and the mind.

I usually greet each of the students as they log into our zoom classes in the morning with the familiar greeting, "How are you?". What has been interesting over the course of this past year, is that it seems we are becoming more honest or revealing with our answers to this common greeting. Most days, one of my students will reply "meh" to that question. Meaning, "I'm alright. I'm not great, but I am here, and for that I am fortunate."

Rest will look different for all of us. For some, rest is as basic as taking a nap. For others, it may mean reading a good book, sitting in stillness, or reconnecting with close friends.

The Covid pandemic has changed the world and has touched every individual in some way. We have been forced to alter the way we work, socialize, and how we schedule, and move about our basic days. It has forced us to slow down and spend more time in personal reflection. It has been equally devastating and freeing.

I can't recall ever being more relieved or happy to see the new year approach. (Well, ironically I was quite looking forward to 2020. It was going to be a big year personally with so many plans and adventures ready to go. Well, we all know how that turned out

As we enter into the deep winter of 2021, health has been a topic of conversation that has dominated the newsreels and our daily conversations since March 2020.

At some point, we have all received the well-meaning advice to “stay positive”. To view the glass as “half full” sometimes can feel like wishful thinking or “Pollyannaish”. And it can be difficult to find the motivation to stay positive when life becomes challenging.

How does your practice change when you are experiencing a difficult period in your life? Does your practice disappear or do you lean in and become more intentional with when and how you practice?

Fall is in the air and with the change of season, we have the opportunity to begin again, change what we want to change and take care of our needs in a new way. Here are a few self-care ideas to add to your month ahead.