Snowfall after snowfall, freezing cold temps and no end in sight. We want spring!
A few weeks ago, there were cartoons and jokes being shared on Facebook about the south’s inability to deal with the snow and ice dumped on them. Schools were closed for a week or longer, businesses were shut down and power was out for thousands.
We northerners were just a bit too smug in our attitudes about how we handle winter with it’s storms, cold and snow. Yes, we are troopers when it comes to driving to work in a snowstorm… most of us anyway. And we take shoveling a foot of snow in stride… most of us.
But it is March and the majority of us have had it with winter! These brutal cold temperatures that keep our furnaces pumping night and day are for the middle of winter, not the “almost end”. My poor little Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix not only dislikes this cold, but freezes when he goes outside to take care of business. His little paws freeze and he can’t get back in, so over he drops like a fallen soldier.
So many are stressing out from the long winter and not being able to get outside much. I know that I miss my daily walk with Buddy. Our stress levels elevate when we do not have adequate stress relievers or self-soothers and if exercise was one of yours and you dislike going to a gym, preferring the out of doors, here is an option until we are once again graced with the beauty of spring weather: a walking DVD.
I don’t typically promote any products but I was missing my daily walks outside and this was recommended by my physical therapist, Jennifer Catino of Bodywork for Wellness. It meets all levels of ability from beginner to intermediate. If exercise is one of your stress relievers, this might be a sanity saver for you until we can all comfortably get back outside.
Before you know it, the tulips will be up, the trees will be budding and warm weather will be back. Then you can use your DVD on spring’s rainy days. This can be just one of your stress relieving tools. Another cold weather de-stressor is savoring a hot cup of tea in a comfy chair- no distractions, just you and the hot drink. Share with me your favorite cold weather relaxers.
And remember, spring is around the corner… I promise.