HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MOOD AND BOOST YOUR ENERGY | FEATURE
Yasmin Grant preps you for the gloom of the coming months, which experts are suggesting will be like the gloom we have now, but colder.
Getting out of bed on a cold winter morning is a daunting thought in itself. So, if I suggested tearing yourself away from the warm embrace of your duvet, to head straight out the front doors, I’d understand your dismay. But that’s exactly what I’m going to suggest.
With December and January being the toughest months in terms of daylight hours, it’s good to get a head start in September and October. Getting out in the early morning air will top up your absorption of light and vitamin D, and the added exercise to your day will be beneficial because you’re doing it first thing in the morning. There really is no better time for it: early morning exercise is commonly known to improve metabolism and stabilise mood. If you’re someone that doesn’t carry out any intensive exercise, a simple walk will be good enough; those who already incorporate exercise into their routine will find a run, jog or cycling to be invigorating in the morning.
In the UK, moving into November makes it harder to get the daylight morning walk in, with the sun rising ever later – and if you’ve got work at 9am, then you’re going to struggle to fit everything in. Yet this routine needn’t go out of the window as we move into December. Even a 10 to 15-minute walk is better than nothing, a little dose of sunlight before you’re tucked up away at work. It’s all about making things manageable and being flexible.
Some of my favourite places to run, walk and cycle in south Wales are Cosmeston Lakes [pictured], Roath Park, Bute Park and Hamadryad Park. If you find yourself with an extra 20 minutes after some fresh morning air, then I would highly recommend initiating a yoga practice: a fantastic form of exercise which stimulates blood and energy flow. Power yoga is great if you want something more challenging, but you can tone the flow right down with simple beginner flows. There are bountiful channels on YouTube if you’re just starting out. It’s great to get the practice in at home but you’ll feel the full benefit of yoga by joining a class where everyone contributes a little piece of calmness. Some places in Cardiff that offer yoga classes are Stretchy Suzie’s on Woodville Road and Mandayoga in Canton.
You may find, as you carve out time in the morning for yourself, that your energy increases and you’re more productive. This is a great time to learn something new or start a project, which in turn could keep the momentum going. Do you take advantage of your local library? The Hubs dotted around Cardiff are currently open on an appointment basis; you can request books online or by calling the main library line (029 2087 1071).
Or maybe you don’t feel like reading or starting a project: maybe you’d like to clear out your mind instead of filling it up. Meditation seems to be a trendy word lately and everyone’s ready to tell you why you should meditate. It can all be a bit offputting. And yet you might find that with the stillness of morning you’re more geared towards meditation. Headspace is a popular app, and a good starting point for anyone new to meditation, which isn’t to suggest an app is essential: maybe sitting quietly in your space, with a candle or some mellow music, will suffice for you.
Personally speaking, I find that meditation works. It seems like the least likely thing that will help, and it can be easy to resist just sitting there, pushing thoughts away. Yet, when I make the effort to let go, I no longer need to solve problems; things have a way of sorting themselves out sometimes.
The morning is a beautiful time to be awake; before the working day has started and the world is busy with doing, you can find yourself having time for being. You might not realise how beneficial this could be for you until you try it.
photo ANDREAS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
