We’ve got some tips and tricks to help beat the mid-year slump, and get you back on track.
Keep moving
After a little mid-year break, it’s tough to get back into the swing of things at work, the gym and life in general. So it’s important to always be active and partake in exercise (yes, even when you’re not in the mood). Find something to look forward to after or during your workout. Promising yourself a smoothie after a tough session or having a kickass workout playlist will help you find some motivation. Another tip? Make the most out of the sunny days in winter by heading outside for a natural shot of vitamin D – it’s a great pick-me-up.
Minimise the carby-comforts
This time of year usually leads to carby indulgence. While soothing the cold with warm meals may be comforting (and delicious), it can contribute to feelings of lethargy. ‘When it comes to choosing starches, go for ones that are high in fibre as they keep you fuller for longer – so wholewheat, low GI breads; wholewheat pastas; and brown or basmati rice,’ advises Tracey Zietsman, a registered dietitian at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. During winter, we also tend to go for heavy pastas and rich soups. Tracey recommends making soups that include vegetables and a source of protein instead of going for creamy, meat-rich ones. If a pasta party is calling your name, keep your sauce and pasta separate. This way, you don’t lose out on the delicious toppings while still keeping your portion in control.
Spice up your routine
‘Winter brings changes to our routine for many reasons,’ explains Clinical Psychologist Lokash Viranna from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. Mid-year breaks slow down activity. You tend to wake up later and are generally less rushed. However, going back to work can bring huge changes to the routine again. ‘People generally exercise less, comfort eat more and lead more restrictive lives, which can affect energy levels and moods, making you feel irritable and down.’ To help avoid this feeling, Lokash suggests seeing the changes of the season as an opportunity to alter your routine but keep your goals the same. ‘Find time to go outside, exercise and make the most out of the indoors by socialising with people you have beencmeaning to catch up with. Having dinner indoors andplaying board games is an excellent way to bond with family and friends. Remember, shorter, colder days need not dictate your mood or the activities you do.’
Hit the reset button
Whip out those 2018 goals and review how you’re doing so far. By this time of the year, you might be feeling tired and maybe even frustrated when you look at your perceived lack of progress. Don’t view any setbacks as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to restrategise and make your goals more manageable. Break up goals into specific, achievable mini-goals. It will help bring you back to focus while motivating you to complete the rest of the plan during the next half of the year.
Check up on it
When we get into the thick of things, it is very easy to forget about our own health and well-being. Use this halfway mark as an opportunity to check in on your mental and physical health. Schedule that dental appointment, go get those annual blood tests, and pencil in some ‘me time’ to take a hard look at whether or not you’re caring for yourself properly. Assessing if you are giving yourself enough time and love to be the best possible version of yourself will go a long way in keeping your motivation up for the remainder of the year.
Give yourself a break
Sometimes, the best way to beat the slump is to embrace it. Rather than beating yourself up about it, channel your energy and time into other activities that you enjoy. This will make you feel good and give you a chance to see whether you are still interested in your original plan. You will also have a chance to tweak your goals or even change them to completely different ones
Words: Ulisha Moodley | Photography: Unsplash
