Chicagoans have been lucky to have beautiful warm weather this October! But we all know how brutally cold it can get towards the end of the year. And the lower temperature sometimes brings low productivity, a sluggish mood & overall laziness (which can probably be worded better). Don’t get me wrong; it’s totally okay to have off days! Obviously, nobody is perfect. But we at The Bloom Group want to give you our tips on how to boost productivity and your mindset and overall keep your spirits up when the temperature is low.
- Set reasonable goals & ease into them! Don’t take on 12 brand new activities/behaviors at once, setting yourself up for failure. Ease into it, and don’t kick yourself for only doing one at a time
- Have an accountability friend! Make sure you’re pursuing those goals by asking a friend to keep you in check! My sister and I text each other every time we finish a bottle of water just to keep one another in check! This is a socially-distant solution to completing goals. You can also send your iPhone/apple watch workout info to your friends, do a Netflix workout with coworkers, and cook great meals with your significant other at least once a week. Having a friend complete the goals with you makes it more fun and ensures that the goals are actually completed.
- Reach out to a different loved one every week! If you’re anything like me, you call your mom or sister or best friend once a week. While that’s great, your other loved ones deserve some attention too! And it’s always nice to catch up with someone you don’t hear from as often. Call a childhood friend, write a letter to your aunt, visit your neighbor, etc.
- Don’t deprive yourself! Your goals shouldn’t always start with “no” or “don’t.” For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, I’m sure your goals are “no chocolate, no junk food, no alcohol,” right? While those things will help you achieve weight loss, your subconsciously associate the goal with negativity. Instead, rephrase some of the goals to say add veggies to your diet, drink more water, and work out/cook with a friend. Whether you realize it or not, you’re now associating each goal with a positive thought or action.
- Remember the basics! Whenever I’m feeling down, I focus on the basic things that keep me feeling energized and at peace. That means drinking more water, fixing my posture, doing a few basic stretches in east mornings, taking deeper breaths, getting more sleep, and getting outside more (even if it’s just for a few minutes, I know it’s chilly out).
By: Kate Quill