Nourish yourself over winter (inside and out)

How do you plan to stay well over winter? Sometimes it’s too easy to skip exercise in the morning, come home from work and sit in front of the TV, and order in some takeaway for dinner.

Instead, keep your motivation strong and your spirits high by keeping your mind and body active. When was the last time you tried something new? Here are some of our best ideas for nourishing yourself during winter:

Winter exercise

Morning runs in the cold don’t fill me with excitement, so i’m not going to blame you if you feel the same way. But it’s no excuse to stay curled up in bed! It’s the 21st century and with the miracle of indoor heating there’s a host of indoor activities to keep you warm. Rock climbing, yoga, trampolining, dodgeball, indoor soccer, netball, martial arts – these are just a few of the awesome activities that can fire you up this winter.

Book a weekend away

Everyone loves a holiday, and a short break is perfect for a winter rejuvenation. For some people, half the fun is planning the trip, and sites like Airbnb.com.au or Stayz.com.au have hundreds of options for a weekender. But if you love camping, no one’s going to stop you doing that instead!

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to stay mentally strong and beat the winter blues. Want to improve your focus and better understand yourself? Make meditation a regular part of your day to unwind and keep stress at bay, and rememeber it can be included in even the busiest of schedules. Plus, don't neglect being mindful in your daily life - sign up for Mindful in May if you want to get started.

Cooking classes

We often eat more over winter, so if you're going to give in, it might as well be healthy! Cooking classes will inspire you to be more inventive in the kitchen, especially if your favourite weapon in the kitchen is currently the microwave. For good cooks, a class is a great way to add new dishes and cuisines to your resume, and reignite a passion for cooking. A home-cooked lunch will also brighten up your lunchtimes at work. Some recommended classes include the selection at the Sydney Seafood School and South Melbourne Markets.

Find an indoor hobby

The weather isn’t always on your side in winter, so find an indoor hobby to keep you entertained inside. Anything project-based is perfect, because the continuity will keep you motivated and by the end, you’ll have something to show for it. Why not pick up the piano, or give knitting a blanket a go (check out Greta's for ideas)? Try your hand at woodworking and build a table if that’s your thing.

Get a massage

Don’t think a massage has to be a birthday or holiday treat – those are the times you probably need one the least! If the weather is getting you down or you just need a break, book yourself in to de-stress both body and mind.