What do you want to achieve in the second half of 2023?

We’re almost halfway through 2023 so it’s a great time to take a deep dive into the goals you set for this year. Are you on track to accomplish them or not? If you’re on the right path and achieving what you need to, great work, keep doing what you’re doing. If you’re the rest of us, then it’s a good time to reflect, strategise and take action. There is still time to make your 2023 goals a reality.

If it’s winter where you are then you may have noticed your motivation and energy levels have dipped. Many people experience the ‘winter blues’ brought on by an array of things including: darker/colder days, more illness, less activity and less socialising. In order to thrive in winter you may need to shake up your approach.

6 Winter productivity improvers

1. Embrace the cold

Cosy winter nights rugged up at home with a great book or movie are wonderful but there needs to be balance. If you haven’t been active or outside all day then you’ll notice your energy levels are low. There is a famous Scandinavian saying ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’. So get yourself dressed for the conditions outside and embrace the cold. The fresh air and hopefully a bit of vitamin D from the sun will do you wonders.?

If you want to embrace the cold even further you may want to explore cold showers and/or ice baths for the reported health benefits which include: reduced inflammation, better sleep, more energy and improved immunity.

2. Exercise

When your alarm goes off in the morning signalling it’s time to hit the gym, it’s so much more effort for you to leave the comfort of your bed when it’s dark and cold outside. Remember it will be worth it if you exercise. You’ll feel better physically and mentally as a result. Help yourself to maintain healthy habits by making it as little effort as possible to achieve the habit, for example have your yoga clothes laid out and read for you to put on in the morning.

3. Sleep

New studies have strengthened the known and suspected relationship between poor and inadequate sleep and a number of disorders and diseases. Healthy sleep is vital for our cognitive functioning, mood, mental health, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic health. Getting enough sleep helps you to look and feel your best.?

4. Eat well

Winter time can be a big challenge to out healthy eating goals. Maybe you’ve been sick with a cold or lacking energy so you reach for sugary foods. Healthy eating doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of occasional treats. It just equates to eating healthy, nourishing food the majority of the time. Your energy levels and wellbeing will be a testament to your healthy eating efforts.

5. Socialise

Socialising can feel like a lot more work in Winter but we still need our friends and family as much as the rest of the year. Of course you need to stay away if you’re sick but don’t cancel plans just because it’s cold and dreary outside. We’re social creatures and human interaction is vital for our mental wellbeing and energy levels.

6. Set goals and strategise

Goal setting and strategising shouldn’t only occur at the start of the year. Now is the perfect time to reflect on whether your on track to achieve what you want to in 2023. It’s also important to decide whether your goals are still the same as you may find you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to pursue a certain goal anymore. Ask yourself what you want and why you want it? Then take the time to make a plan to achieve it. What needs to change? What actions do you need to take to make your goal a reality? Which habits aren’t serving you? If you’re not clear about what you want then you won’t be able to achieve it. Fortunately Winter is the perfect time to reflect and make plans.