Top Ten Ways to a More Positive Outlook on Winter

Year after year I find more and more individuals saying to me that they were still waiting for the warm temperatures to arrive one more time before the snow comes. In many ways these individuals did not have a very positive outlook on the arrival of the winter season. What can be done to have a more positive outlook towards the arrival of winter?

1. Put Seasonal Items In Order
Put away the summer things and pull out the winter ones so they are easier to find. Have your outdoor clothing ready to go in good order and repair including your boots, gloves, jackets and scarves.

2. Plan A Few Days Off
Plan a few days off during the winter so you have a special break to look forward to. It could be day set aside for reading or an indoor hobby that your enjoy -- or it could be a ski trip to the Rockies or a Caribbean vacation.

3. Get A Plant
Get a plant to brighten your living or work area such as a plant that flowers or try forcing some flower bulbs indoors.

4. Engage In An Activity That Celebrates This Season
Start or join in a regular activity that you enjoy (or enjoyed when you were younger) that celebrates this time of year. It could be an outdoor activity such as skating, curling, skiing or hockey. If you prefer it could instead be a private indoor activity such as of journaling, reading or quilting.

5. Get Ahead Of Holiday Preparations
Get ahead of preparing for the holidays so you are not rushed later on.

6. Enjoy Some Seasonal Scents
Get a lovely aromatherapy oil spray or candle you will enjoy in your home for the season.

7. Winterize Your Vehicle
If you have one, have your vehicle winterized including getting winter tires put on, the engine tuned up and be sure to include a complete winter emergency kit and blanket.

8. Prepare For SAD (If Applicable)
If you are a sensitive person who is affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), be sure to have your light box ready for use. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with S.A.D., it's a physical condition that happens with the shortening of our daylight hours. In many people this causes depression and fatigue that can sometimes require extra light from special light boxes to get through the day.)

9. Get Cozy On The Couch
Put out a cozy throw blanket for the couch for when you sit to watch your favorite TV shows.

10. Enjoy Delicious, Nourishing Self Care
Bring out your favorite soups and stews recipes. If you don't have any, have fun developing and cooking up some tasty favorites. While you are at it, also stock up on a special warm drink whether its tea, hot chocolate or apple juice / cider with cinnamon sticks to simmer.

(c) 2003 Donna P. Lendzyk

Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results. She is the author of the multi-media "Overcome Overwhelm eProgram." To learn more about her eprogram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com.

OregonLive.com

West Linn teen receives Children's Cancer Association award for courage while ... OregonLive.com By Rachel Stark, The Oregonian View full sizeChildren's Cancer AssociationOlivia Trueb, 13, was honored this month for her positive attitude while battling common variable immune deficiency. Olivia Trueb, a 13-year-old West Linn resident, ...

Hard work and positive attitude - passion of a Cavan GAA team player from Yonkers IrishCentral I was thrown onto a Gaelic football pitch probably at the age of five. Davey, my Dad, a strong GAA man saw the amount of energy I had as a child and thought, what better way to let her release it than to run around a football pitch.

Positive attitude despite negative results The Press In five seasons with the Canterbury Tactix, they've won just 13 games, has finished last twice and is on track for a third ANZ Championship wooden spoon. But anyone that's ever heard a post-loss interview or spent five minutes with the 15-time Silver ... and more »

Survey shows positive attitude in Brush School District Brush News Tribune By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor The Brush School District fared well in regards to comments received from a recent survey. At Tuesday's work session of the Board of Education (BOE), Greg McKenzie, president and founder of Window to Leadership LLC, ... and more »

Column by Bobbi Seidel: Positive attitude comes from within and without Asbury Park Press Where did you get that positive attitude? I asked. How do you keep it? Over breakfast one morning, the petite woman with honey-colored hair and dark eyes told me. “I've always had it,” says Welcome, 75, smiling. “It's something you have to find within ...

The Unknown Soldiers: Maintaining a positive attitude under adversity Leavenworth Times By Tom Sileo Less than a month after Staff Sgt. Travis Mills lost his arms and legs in a southern Afghanistan terrorist attack, his wife, Kelsey, paused to reflect on an unimaginable ordeal. "I can either curl up in a ball and cry or keep going," ... and more »

Mitchell uses smile, positive attitude to stave off cancer Chatham Star Tribune By STEPHANIE A. JAMES Instead of focusing on the challenges that cancer can bring, Lisa Mitchell has focused on the positive. “Why waste time on anger or bitterness,” said Mitchell, who is battling cancer a second time after it was in remission for ...

A Heart of Gold Virginia Connection Newspapers They champion hope that with hard work, a positive attitude, and support there will be a "New day, a new chance." The man who speaks them believes them and lives them himself. His voice is warm and steady with a calm conviction as the words of wisdom ...

Ali Krieger keeps positive attitude about Olympics Inside NoVA But even if it does not work out, Krieger is keeping a positive attitude. “She's accepted the fact that she might not be in the Olympics,” said her father Ken. “Her main goal is to be healthy.” After the injury happened, Krieger was expected to be out ... and more »

Toledo Blade

LaPorta keeps positive attitude with Clippers Toledo Blade BY JOHN WAGNER Matt LaPorta, right, who played first base on Saturday for Columbus, is working on getting back to the Indians after a rough spring. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints For the past two seasons, Matt LaPorta has been a ... and more »