What a surprise I got on Saturday morning when I woke up, looked out of the window and saw snow. Amazing, how a lot of snow can fall overnight. I know snow was forecast in a number of places but we weren’t one of them.
I was doing my usual morning yoga and I opened the blinds so I could face the outdoors and look at the beautiful scene. What I noticed was stillness. Tress covered in snow, the brightness of the woods and the quiet of the street. It was like a scene from a Christmas card.
What I also noticed was the silence. No birds, no people, no cars. Peace.
How often does that happen? When nothing moves and you could hear a pin drop. Not very often.
I love snow. I’ve always felt it brings calmness. Snow slows you down, it makes you pay attention to the world around you and notice. Driving in it, you take it easy, you watch all around for hazards, but every move made is deliberate, you have to proceed with caution. There is no rushing from A to B, mindlessly wondering how you got where you did. The slightest distraction or lack of attention can be fatal. Ok, so that is the extreme, however you have to concentrate to ensure you don’t go too fast to cause an accident or even too slow.
Snow to other people is awful, it is the worst mother nature can throw at them as it brings chaos; with travel being disrupted, everything coming to a standstill and life no longer being all go, go, go!
Snow forces you to take a breather, it makes you stop and smell the roses. So instead of disliking it for whatever reason, know it provides you with a moment to take a deep breath in and out.
Instead of focusing on all the negatives that snow brings, lets look at all the positives which are all good for your mental wellbeing:
- Snowmen – my absolute favourite. Bring out your inner child and push your cares and worries to the side. Building a snowman is one of the best activities to do in the snow. You do not need to be a child to enjoy it. Whether you make it on your own (no, this isn’t sad, this is fun) or with your friends or family helping you, enjoy the fun of creation. How does it feel through your gloves when you roll a small snowball into a body and a head? Does it feel soft and cold or compacted and icy? I guarantee once you start making it, you will lose track of time and relive your childhood. Don’t forget to get a carrot for his nose, some stone, coal or tomatoes for his eyes and mouth, and to keep him cosy, wrap a scarf around him and pop a hat on his head. Although to be fair he doesn’t really need a hat!
- Help out your neighbours. Giving some time to others and helping when they perhaps need it most, get your snow shovel out and start clearing your own drive or path and then move to help others. Team work will soon shift the snow, plus it is a great way to get to know your neighbours. You’ll soon get the heat up and not notice the cold. Plus it could mean all the difference to them getting out of their house safely.
- Snowball fight. I mean who doesn’t LOVE a snowball fight. It is the funniest thing to do with your friends and family or your neighbours. Get all dressed up cosy and warm, get your waterproofs on and get out there and start chucking those snowballs. You will get a lot of exercise, laugh a lot and of course get to play in the snow and feel good too.
- Enjoy the beauty. All you need to do is look out of your window and enjoy your view. Snow provides a beautiful blanket across the land. Everything looks pure and untouched and still. Admire this moment of tranquillity as it is only temporary, you may not see it again for a long time.
- Stillness and quiet. Take a moment to get all dressed up cosy and step outside. Slowly breathe in and out. Feel the cold air on your cheek, the crunch of the snow beneath your feet, smell the air, what does it smell like? Listen, what can you hear – silence? Close your eyes and enjoy the moment of peace. If you are feeling warm enough have a cuppa outside and really savour the moment. It is unusual for the outdoors to be so peaceful and still, look around at observe. Can you see any small movements or hear any sounds? In that moment, relish in the stillness and quiet, how often does this happen?
- Get cosy. It gives you an excuse to put on your cosiest of clothing, wrap up in a blanket or get your onesie on and wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine, whichever you prefer. Put on your favourite movie, get comfy and enjoy sipping on your hot drink. Relish the time you have to feel no pressure to be outdoors. Do something nice for yourself and enjoy the brief time to yourself the snow brings.
Love it or loathe it snow is mother natures way of slowing you down and giving you a brief rest bite from the usual non stop day to day activities. So why not do as she insists the next time a snow storm hits.
Have a great week ahead and if the snow does fall where you live, enjoy it and have some fun.
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 