Healthy Mind

Last post I ranted for about two paragraphs too long about how much I hate Chicago winters. This post is last post’s much more positive counterpart (i.e. less bitching, more solutions).

The challenge is this: How do I stop being so bitter and SAD and find love for Chicago winters? Answer: I try to discover what makes me happy and healthy – without warm weather.

I have picked 7 relatively lofty goals for myself. The only rule is: I have to accomplish all of them before the end of winter – March 19th. That’s 70 days for my 7 challenges. You’d be surprised how guilty I feel if I don’t hold up to the promises I make on this blog (check out my alcohol detox).

Chicago Winter Challenge

1. Embrace the inside. Accomplish the tasks that I can only do inside – the same ones I would feel guilty about doing on any warm summer day. Write an article to submit to a magazine, organize my closet, read a book next to the fire – just pick something that makes me confident that there’s no place I’d rather be than inside, with my activity.

2. Explore coffee shops. One of my hobbies is going to a coffee shop to write or read for a few hours. There’s something about being out of the house, with no distractions, to focus on writing (or even Pinterest-ing if that’s what I want to do). My favorite ones are the locally owned spots that have their own character and a menu that you can’t get at Starbucks. My top recommendations are Nohea (great food and almond latte), Cafe Decartes (where the theme is philosophers and literary geniuses) and the Wormhole (all 90’s décor – need I say more?).
3. Play in the snow. Make a snowman, make a snow angel, make a snow fort, go sledding down a hill on a cheap, questionable plastic sleigh. I’ve been saying this since the first snowfall and still haven’t done anything about it. Now I’m writing it here, I MUST do it (Challenge rules).
4. Go ice-skating. I’ve only done this a handful of times in my life, and I am not good at it. But I have fun every time I do it.
5. Get out of Dodge. Love this expression. Sometimes, you just need a change of scenery. I’m not talking about visiting the Caribbean (although – don’t hate me – I am going to Cancun for two days in January); I’m talking about going to another place outside of the city that offers a new perspective on Midwest winter. One of my favorite nearby getaways is Starved Rock. But if I really want to challenge myself, I should try some place different like Sheboygan (the Riverwalk and Kohler Arts Center) or Milwaukee (my co-workers rave about how underrated this city is for food and culture).  
6. Indulge. If there’s ever a time to treat yourself with good food and wine, it’s in the winter. I believe in healthy eating. But more importantly, I believe in giving the body what it craves. In the winter, our bodies are stressed, our Vitamin D is low and we need more substantial foods than the warmer months. After New Years, I walk a fine line between restraint and allowance because I do want to detox and lose the holiday fat. But 99% of the time, when I restrain myself too much, I end up more stressed, and more likely to overindulge. After those particularly bitter cold, rough days, I am giving myself permission to have a glass (or two) of wine and a handful of dark chocolate chips mixed with dried cranberries (so good).
7. Accept. Every year, before winter even begins, I get stressed and sad just thinking about it. By the time it arrives, I have entered deep winter depression mode. I find that I’m more negative, uber sensitive and less likely to accept invites from friends to go out. I do believe that, regardless of external circumstances, we control our emotions. However, I am the first to admit that I have the hardest time harnessing them – especially during the winter. That’s why I am making it a priority to try meditation this winter (this was also on my resolutions list). My goal is to meditate three times a week, for 15 minutes, first thing in the morning. I’ve done a little research on beginner’s meditation. But ultimately, I’d like to do my own thing, with a strong focus on appreciation and mindfulness.

I have a confession to make. I love New Year’s Resolutions. I have been making them since I was in the 6th grade, and haven’t skipped a year yet (see below for my first New Year’s Resolutions written in cursive in my diary). Unfortunately, my beloved ritual that used to be considered novel and exciting now appears to be faux pas. All I hear is, “New Year’s Resolutions are worthless – nobody ever keeps them, I’m not any more likely to lose 10 pounds this year than I was last year.”

I’ll admit: I am an exceptionally optimistic person who loves lists and goals and vision boards. New Year’s Resolutions are like crack to me.

I’ll also admit: I get carried away and make a list of goals so long and ambitious that it’s hard to keep up with them.

So what? What’s wrong with being optimistic?

Maybe New Year’s Resolutions aren’t hard and fast goals but rather inspiration-makers. I cannot think of a better time to better myself – physically and mentally. Physically, after the holidays, I’ve hit rock bottom in terms of my health. I’ve just spent the better part of December gorging myself at office gatherings, taste testing homemade cookies, meeting friends out for holiday drinks and sitting down to one huge meal after the other. I feel bloated and lethargic, and all I see is the bleak cold Chicago winter ahead of me. I want so badly to be back to my active healthy self (and maybe an even better version). On the other end, mentally, I can look back and see how I’ve grown throughout the year, remember what mistakes I’ve made, and know what I want to do better.

I welcome this age-old tradition to kick me in the ass every New Year’s Day and the days following. I can’t wait to sit down with my old diary and a pen, reflect on the past year and think forward to the next. However, I’ve decided to make one big change to the tradition this year, and, dadadadaaaa….

Post my resolutions on this blog!

What is more motivating than putting my resolutions out there for everybody to see? Ya. We’re getting personal here. I would love your comments or suggestions on any of them. And even more so, I would love to hear yours! Okay, here goes.

1.     MY BLOG: Make this blog reach 500 unique visitors (I am currently at 102), and create new, informative yet entertaining content on a weekly basis. As always, please pass on the healthy stacey blog link if you know somebody who you think would benefit from reading it!

2.     MY NUTRITION: Get out of my comfort zone and create at least one new dish a month for dinner. Right now, grilled chicken, grilled salmon and sautéed veggies have out-stayed their welcome in my house. I’m ready to mix it up.

3.     MY PHYSICAL HEALTH: Re-define what “workout” means to me. I’ve already put this resolution in motion by quitting my big box gym and joining UFC Boxing. However, I’d like to push the limits even more with activities like aerial yoga and dance class. My rule of thumb: As soon as I become comfortable and/or bored, it’s time to move on.

4.     MY MENTAL HEALTH: Learn to manage my anxiety. Understand why I feel it, what makes it worse, and what makes it better. To do this, I am trying aromatherapy (love this stuff) and looking into meditation (I welcome suggestions!).

5.     MY RELATIONSHIPS: In friendships, work harder to keep them strong; at this stage of our lives, schedules are tighter, bed times are earlier, and in some cases, they no longer live down the hall. Staying in touch isn’t as easy as it used to be, but every time I make the effort, I kick myself for not doing it sooner. In my relationship, appreciate my boyfriend more because I never want to forget how ridiculously lucky I am to have him in my life.

Whew! Okay, I did it. Now it’s your turn. Somebody else share. C’mon! Don’t make me be the only dork who still makes resolutions. 

My first New Year’s Resolution diary entry. Wow, was I a goody goody or what?! And haven’t really changed much.