5 Simple Ways to Rejuvenate Yourself

Our theme this month is rejuvenate, and there are plenty of ways, both big and small, to do that. Since many of us are already focusing on some larger goals for the New Year, here are five of our favorite small ways to revitalize.

Out with the old and in with the new. 

Whether you are naturally a tidy person, or think a little clutter makes a space feel cozy, there is something to be said about the benefits of a regular reevaluation of your personal space. These long winter days often see many of us hunkered down indoors waiting for the spring thaw (raising hand), so it’s a great time to turn a critical eye to our surroundings. Whether it’s taking the time to purge and re-organize the closets or a long neglected junk drawer, or giving your home a thorough scrub down, getting rid of what no longer serves us allows more space to breathe, grow, and expand. 

Get outside.
Studies repeatedly show the myriad of benefits of spending time in nature, including boosting both mood and self-esteem. Venture Outdoors has some great activities like hikes, snowshoeing, and nordic walking. The City Paper keeps an updated list of outdoor activities happening in the area, and winter provides numerous places to go ice skating, snow tubing, or skiing. Even just a walk around your neighborhood, or around your block during your lunch break will allow you to reap the benefits of fresh air, and hopefully, some coveted Vitamin D. 

Experience something different.
The naturally slower pace of winter is also a good time to take a class, try a new restaurant, learn a new skill, or even schedule a weekend getaway. Veer away from your norm and reap the benefits of experiencing something for the first time. The fresh perspective of seeing a new place, trying (or cooking) a new dish, and learning something new are perfect little reminders of why life is amazing. 

Fill up (or empty) your social calendar.

If you’re the kind of person that is always scheduled to the max, take a weekend to completely pull the plug and disconnect. Schedule some time for decompression and reflection, and then make an effort to include some blocks of ‘me time’ throughout your week as well.

Conversely, if you tend to replenish your energy reserves by being alone (raising hand), you could be intentional about getting together with some close friends or family for some low key time to connect. If every weekday evening = comfy clothes and a book or a show, break that mold by attending an event you'd normally skip, or catching up with your bestie from college. Do you have that one person in your life that you always have a great time with, but the opportunities to connect seem to have gotten further and further apart over the years? Call them up!

Refresh your look.
With everything that pulls for our attention, it can be easy to fall into a routine, and then stay there so long it starts to feel like a rut. Sometimes simple updates are enough to help you break up the monotony a bit. Maybe it's a new hairstyle or pair of glasses, switching up your go to lipstick color, or adding a bold scarf or statement piece of jewelry to your wardrobe. My hair is platinum blonde right now, and I’m a little obsessed with adding temporary color to it with conditioners like Overtone. (Two of my favorites are rose gold and silver.) Fun, but easy to wash out if I want to change things up.

What is your favorite thing to do to feel rejuvenated?

photo by Kimberly Rowen