Take care of yourself when you're feeling down and the weather is gloomy
It’s that time of year: the nights are long, the days are starting to get cold, and your mood is gradually taking a hit. Add a touch of work-related stress to the mix… So what can you do to put a smile back on your face under these circumstances? There are various activities you can easily do from home that don’t take too much time if you need a quick pick-me-up between video calls. In a video, Anne-Charlotte Vuccino, founder of YOGIST, shares a simple method that’s perfect for employees.
Yogist's Tips for Dealing with Unpredictable Weather
Anne-Charlotte Vuccino, founder of Yogist, understands the challenges workers face. Going to a gym or taking yoga classes can be difficult for some people. That’s why Yogist offers accessible, easy-to-follow workouts. She also has some great tips for getting through those gloomy days.
To help employees recharge on gloomy days, she suggests doing dynamic breathing exercises. These help warm up, boost motivation, and, above all, combat lethargy.
She also recommends an exercise called "Yes." To do it, you need to:
- Clench your fists in front of your chest;
- Breathe in through your nose while raising your arms toward the sky and opening your hands;
- Exhale forcefully through your nose while clenching your fists and bringing your elbows down.
Repeat this exercise 25 times in sets of 5 or 10. It promotes optimal energy flow in the upper body. Be careful, though—you may experience mild dizziness while doing it. This is because your brain isn’t necessarily used to receiving so much oxygen all at once. However, this exercise is perfect for revitalizing you when the weather is gloomy.
Yoga while working from home on a gloomy day is the perfect way to recharge. In this video, Anne-Charlotte Vuccino shares a method that requires no yoga mat or other equipment. You can follow her tips anywhere to regain the energy you need to combat the effects of bad weather.
Some types of yoga to try
Yoga is a great way to unwind and lift your spirits on gloomy days. With so many different styles to choose from, you have plenty of options for relaxing your body and mind.
You may find that certain physical poses are uncomfortable. In that case, you might be tempted by other sports like Pilates. However, yoga offers benefits that are ideal for workers. To relax effortlessly on gloomy days, try nidra. Also known as sleep yoga, this practice is done lying down. It helps regenerate both body and mind. Above all, it helps combat negative thoughts caused by bad weather.
Power yoga is another activity worth trying. More modern and dynamic, it tones the body and alleviates physical issues caused by sitting and slouching. It also helps clear the mind when you’re feeling down. Finally, Kundalini yoga incorporates breathing exercises and meditation. This form of yoga relaxes both the body and mind, giving you a boost of energy on those tough days.
Activities to lift your spirits
Are you working from home, but feeling unmotivated because of the gray skies? You need to give your mind a boost and relax. This will help you focus better and be more productive. Since you’re at home, why not try your hand at cooking? Make pancakes, waffles, or even a cake for a nice dose of dopamine. You can also prepare meals that boost your well-being. A dish made with brown rice, bananas, and dark chocolate will do the trick.
Anne-Charlotte Vuccino also suggests a great activity for gloomy days: going outside. Even if the weather isn’t great, she advises you to go outside anyway. By going outside as often as possible, you’ll soak up natural light. Doing this regularly will lift your spirits and boost your energy levels.
