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One morning in November, I woke up in a total funk. I didn’t want to move out of my bed and it was one of those super cold Friday mornings, after a long week at work. I was putting pressure on myself to attend an early morning class in my local fitness studio, normal for my Friday WFH routine. Usually, I’m pretty happy about how my morning routine helps me set up for the day. But that particular icy morning, I literally could not face anyone outside of my front door. Neither did I want to speak to another human - or have anyone speak to me. The faff of sorting my kit, navigating the post-class shower and changing room just made me want to hide under the duvet, safe and consoled in the quietness of dark comfort.
But the excellent thing about building muscle memory over time is knowing what outcome will arrive once you do that thing that’s actually good for you. And in this case, even though I couldn’t be bothered, I knew I had to throw on some fitness gear to mentally remind me of the benefits of moving, stretching and opening the window for a burst of fresh air. And so I forced myself to do this. And once my son left for school, I immediately threw down my yoga mat, pressed play on a trusty on-demand morning yoga class - and after 15 minutes, I felt so much lighter. I was able to move from the funk. In fact, immediately after moving and getting this endorphin, I jotted down this paragraph to capture this feeling - a reminder to myself (and now you) that moving your body, no matter how simply and gently, can get you out of that mood.
We know this is not breaking news; moving, getting fresh air, shaking off the cobwebs… physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on our mood and any kind of movement helps.
Many of us navigate actual barriers to exercise but I find lowering my own entry level to exercise, especially when it’s cold, rainy and wet is the best way to go.
I always use the on-demand platform from Move Your Frame at home, which has a range of uplifting classes to suit your mood, at a brilliantly affordable price:
Here’s the ‘I feel rubbish right now’ on-demand class I do at home with the doors firmly shut, led by the lovely Sabi Kerr. Also useful if you’re short on time or don’t want to talk to anyone
The Mindfulness app
During the colder months, Mindfulness is my go-to app. Similar to Move your Frame, there’s a ton of great variation and duration choice on this app i.e short ‘hits’ for your mornings alongside longer courses available based on specific topics to support emotional regulation. It allows you to reap the calming, clarifying benefits of mindfulness, even if ‘that mindfulness thing’ is not your vibe. I’ve discovered new teachers like Rueben Lowe and Andy Hobson (British voices) who don’t jar and save you from the usual meditation preamble. It also has a stellar cast of OG wisdom including Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfied and Tara Brach. The app interface is pretty good (don’t be put off by the desktop version) which is an absolute must so you don’t get riled with tech first thing in the morning. There’s also an offline mode too where you can check out your favourites very quickly, especially on any commutes! Zero faff, good for the soul.
An evening podcast: As the Season Turns with Lia Leendertz
A couple of years ago during my own ‘Meh’ season, I stumbled across As The Season Turns by Lia Leendertz and a podcast episode which explored ‘the sleepy but still vibrant natural world of December’’. It is the most nourishing listen to end any sort of day, but particularly the rubbish ones. It’s almost like nature’s response to BBC Radio 4’s The Shipping Forecast, grounded by Lia’s soothing tones, guiding us through the month from sky to land. Beautifully produced, like a huge, warm blanket wrapped around your shoulders.
From that, I immediately bought The Almanac, a seasonal guide which celebrates each month as the world changes around us. It has sunrises, moon phases and folk tales weaved in. Although UK and Irish folklore is not a culture I’m familiar with, it completely takes me out of the madness of the day, gently closing the doors to any noise, helping to regulate my nervous system. Picking up this book, often on cold nights or dark mornings is a gentle reminder to truly follow the seasons and all the nourishing gifts she brings.
