This post was going to be an attempt at some simple things to do at home with zero equipment (like that butt workout we do in barre (below photo!) that is killer) but then as soon as I was down on the ground, over comes Mr. Anders with his concrete truck to join me and I couldn’t bare to keep him away. Mimicking me the way he was? It was very cute. So, family “exercise” time! Quotes necessary.
I’m getting to a barre and/or core and cardio class 2-3 times a week. I’d love to up it to 4x a week but that’s almost impossible with our schedules the way they are right now. But, beyond that, there’s some other things I want to do for my overall wellness as we head into winter. Not limited to physical wellbeing. And here they are!
- Drink more water. I’ve always heard we’re supposed to drink more in the winter than we are in the summer. Drier air? Whatever it is, I try to pour myself a big mason jar (the big one!) of water every morning and finish it by lunch. Then do it again by dinner. Then hopefully again before bed. I fail, routinely, but try try again. I’ve already got the humidifier going while I sleep too. Favorite water bottle these days here.
- Do not play the “tit-for-tat” game. You know the one. Measuring who’s doing more, who’s more overworked, so on and so forth. Steve and I sometimes have this go-around as it relates to division of household work, his work, my work, parenting. Blahhh. It is a conversation certainly worth having but, here’s another good thing to do: find three things in your spouse at the end of every day that were good, kind, helpful. Don’t look for the negative. Or, as my Mom would say, “Bless him, change me.”
- Get more sleep. Those precious quiet hours once kids are asleep are a gift at the end of a long, hectic day. But! It’s not worth it to stay up one hour later to watch The Crown and then wake up exhausted immediately dreading the day ahead. (Who am I kidding? Sometimes it is worth it. That quiet time is gold.)
- Be in nature. Go see some water, a woodsy walk, even a playground. Getting outside brings perspective and calm. It has a way of making things that would otherwise feel really big and insurmountable really small.
- Do something for you. Get a book out at the library that you’ve really been wanting to read, buy a magazine, get a manicure, a scone and cappuccino, that $5-more-than-you-usually-spend bottle of merlot, a weekday matinee, girls’ night. Whatever it is, once a month, do it.
- Learn something new that you thought would be interesting but never followed through on. Is it meditation (yes!)? World War 2 history? Piano (yes!)? Photography? Tap dance? How to cook your own bread (yes!)? Calligraphy? Gardening? How to make a crepe? The solar system? The possibilities, clearly, are endless.
- Make some relaxing playlists on Spotify. Listen to them often. Try not to get too angry at the ads, or the relaxation is ruined.
I’m going to try to implement these things myself. Do it with me?!
Wearing these awesome leggings and this sweatshirt above; both from Nordstrom.
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This post is sponsored by Nordstrom. They’ve got an amazing activewear section and are adding more brands all the time. Thanks so much for reading and supporting this blog.
Love all these tips…and the workout clothes you linked to. Maybe if I buy all the cute clothes it will motivate me to workout more during the winter? Yes, let’s go with yes!
yes! yes! that’s exactly how that works!
I love this post! And the crown is so dang pretty to oook at- sometimes it totally is worth it!
Xo, Brittany
Holiday jammies + big sale on my blog today!
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Great ideas! What I’ve found helps most with the water consumption is having a water bottle with a straw with me at all times. When I’m at my desk it allows me to take sips without even looking away from my computer or pausing from my typing. Thanks for sharing!
I second this! A straw is the way to go! I have a 40oz.-er filled with ice water with a straw first thing in the morning, fill it up again at work, fill it up again after lunch and then finally at home. It’s with me always.
Loved this article via A Cup of Jo about a song that reduces anxiety up to 65%. The article also has a relaxing Spotify playlist. I have sworn by decompressing to Please Don’t Go by Barcelona for years and am excited to add Weightless to my go-to list of relaxing songs!
http://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/neuroscience-says-listening-to-this-one-song-reduces-anxiety-by-up-to-65-percent.html?scrlybrkr=b2f7aac6
listening now! i love that strawberry swing made the list 🙂
I loved all the tips but I have to be honest, number 2 slapped me right in the face, guilty as charged, thanks for the perspective and suggestion.
oh, me too girl. i think it plagues most marriages!
You have such a cute work out group ;). I’ll add your moms words to my memorable quotes list – so good! Since I went back to Uni we got ridiculously good in that game, so I really try to remember that one.
This might sound insane, but a Spotify subscription (so the ads stopped forever) was one of the best, cheapest things I’ve ever done for myself!
doesn’t sound insane! i’ve had one before but then got cheap… back to the ads (and i HATE THEM).
I have been going to a ballet class once a week and it’s just the thing I needed to keep me feeling inspired, creative, and curious about the world and opportunities around me!
that is amazing!!! i used to tap dance (and absolutely loved it). it would be a dream to find a class nearby now.
Amen to all of these! Always trying to drink a lot of water, especially before coffee – but coffee usually wins! Especially in the cold New England winters! And continuing to improve on mediation…I teach mindful breath and a few moments of meditation in classes {I’m a yoga instructor} and I always try to practice what I preach! Easier said than done!
Ughhh… the tit-for-tat game. We play that all too much at our house.
Also, need to drink more water. Check. Like most readers, coffee is king beverage at our house… *Sigh*