How Are You Doing?

If you live in a cold and grey climate like Ohio, February can be a struggle. Here's three things I (Polly) am doing not just to survive, but to thrive during this time.

• We've talked about the benefits of spending some time in nature. It seems counterintuitive, but I've been making a point to put on my coat and boots and head outside for a short walk at least once a day. Every part of me just wants to stay inside where it's warm, but I'm honestly not so fragile that I can't bear the elements for a few minutes, especially with proper gear! I try to do this right after eating lunch, because if you are trying to form a new habit, it's good to anchor it to an established habit. It's amazing how refreshed I feel after doing this. An added bonus is that it makes me very grateful for a warm home when I step inside. 

• I'm reading more books and listening to more podcasts than I have for a long time. I got a set of Bluetooth headphones that I use with my phone so I can listen to books or podcasts while doing other tasks. The Libby app is a free tool to access audio books from the library. It seems like one good book leads to another, and it's exciting to continue growing.
• Now that the holidays are over, I'm trying to be more mindful of my eating habits. I'm not focusing on counting calories and deprivation, but rather I'm concentrating on building healthy eating habits - like getting enough protein and eating more greens. 

So what are some of your strategies for getting through the winter?  We'd love to hear from you. If you haven't found us on social media, you can follow us on Instagram or Facebook so we can keep in touch. (See the buttons below.) Wishing you much warmth and light this February!!!