How to Avoid Being Lazy This Winter
Wintertime is a big ball of fun when it comes to celebrating the holidays, going on vacation and setting your intentions for the new year.
But, once all the December excitement dies down, the rest of the season can be a real drag. Not only do many of us get hit with a case of the "winter blues," but the cold weather and dark days can make us tired and keep us from being productive.
(Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs via Walt Disney Productions)
As people who have certainly struggled in the past with being productive during winter, we've made it a mission to change our ways. Keep reading for how to avoid being lazy during the chilliest season.
1. Set Up a Buddy System and Make Yourself Accountable for Your Commitments
The best way to stay on track with your productivity is to have someone along for the ride with you. Whether it's a sibling who you can wake up early with, or it's a classmate who you can team up with straight from school, having a partner-in-crime when it comes to getting motivated is the way to go. Between the two of you, there's no excuse not to push each other to go to the gym, cook up sensible meals or hit the textbooks for those dreaded study sessions. If one of you is slacking, it's the other's job to knock some sense into the person copping out.
(via Shutterstock)
2. Spend Your Holiday Money on Items That Will Make You Confident or Productive
Dressing cute, eating healthy and working on our fitness are our three biggest hurdles when it comes to this season. Why rummage through all of the old clothes in our closet when we can just wear the same sweatshirt and jeans each day? It's raining outside and all we want to do is curl up under our comforter and sleep.
That said, we feel so much better when we look our best. That's why we can't let the dreary days get the best of us. When it comes to our gift cards and cash that we receive for the holidays, we should anticipate the months to come and invest in items that will keep us happy during the season. Buying a few new staple sweaters and jackets, and a flattering pair of jeans will get us eager to start our days—even when they're gloomy. Getting a gym membership will force us to to work out and buying a food processor will give us what we need to create healthy breakfast smoothies.
3. Have at Least One Minor Routine You Follow Daily
Whether it's completing a 20-minute workout video, cleaning your room, making a morning smoothie, meditating or taking a relaxing bath, doing something to enrich your life and make you feel productive at least once a day will naturally make you happier. It doesn't have to be anything major. Start small, even. But forcing yourself to get in the habit of doing one important thing each day will set the tone for you to do even more.
(via Shutterstock)
4. Ask Your Parents to Reward You for Your Efforts
If you're struggling to focus on classwork during this season or you find yourself late to school on the reg, your parents are probably frustrated with your habits. Whether it's a slight allowance raise or an extension on your curfew, try to set up some sort of deal with them that rewards you if you get out of your set ways.
5. Remind Yourself How Much Better You Feel After Doing Something Productive
In the heat of the moment, it feels great to forgo working out, eat fast food for every meal and wear the same thing every day, but in the grand scheme of things, how much better do we all feel when we're putting in a little extra effort? All it takes is one pattern change to enhance our lives for the better. So next time you debate between doing the productive thing and catching extra Zzzs, opt for the former because even though you'll hate putting the effort in at the moment, you also know the payoff is the real deal!
Winter can be a drag, but if you love fall as much as we do, get in the spirit of the season with THIS incredible playlist.