I’m from the mitten, so when you ask me where I’m from, I’m going to raise my hand and point to the location of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up with “mountains” of snow in the grocery parking lot, hand knit mittens and hats, hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, wood fires in the fireplace, and an ice skating rink that my dad made in our backyard.

After moving to Indiana 21 years ago, I’ve experienced far less intense winters. Fall lasts a little longer and spring comes a little sooner. That said, I recently heard a ton of grumbling about a few inches of snow that came a couple weeks early. This year, I’m deciding to embrace it and JoyPower through it. We are so lucky that we get to enjoy four seasons and have the privilege of seeing the beauty of fresh fallen snow.

If you are having a hard time adjusting to winter, I suggest engaging your senses and try a few of the ideas below:

1. Touch

• Buy some really great winter clothes. I’m talking about the softest fleece, faux fur, cashmere, boots with plush wool lining, flannel jammies, great mittens, a fun down coat, leggings with fleece lining, and a great hat.
• Blankets are a must. Start your day with the softest blanket you can find. My friend sent me a plush plaid blanket last year and I use it all year long. End your day under a heavy down comforter in a cold room with a warmed bag on your toes. We have bags filled with field corn or rice that you warm in the microwave, and they are the best!
• The snow – yes! Go out and touch it. Go skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing, take a brisk walk, or shovel the driveway.
• Hop in a hot tub while the snow is falling.

2. Taste

• Make stew in the crock pot. Enough said.
• Hot cider, hot tea, coffee with Baileys, mulled wine.
• A Hogan favorite is peppermint ice cream ONLY served in the winter, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, Christmas cookies, and pomegranates.

3. See

• The beauty of a fresh fallen snow. The tracks of wildlife that still are living in our midst.
• A red cardinal in an evergreen laced and weighed down with snow.
• The sparkle of the icicles after an ice storm frozen around each limb, branch and evergreen needle.
• Find a great series to binge watch with a family member or watch Hallmark Christmas classics. White Christmas is still a family favorite for us.
• Turn off the lights and burn a candle. Keep lights on after the holidays that you can see on a tree outside your family room.
• Read a great novel by the fireplace.

4. Smell

• Candles- surround yourself with the wintery fresh smells of evergreen, cranberry, apple spice, caramel, and cloves. Some of my favorites are: Anthropologie’s candles, Bath and Body Works Champagne Toast, Bath and Body Works Evergreen, and Glade Enchanted Evergreen.
• The smoke from the fire in the fireplace as it wraps around each log and finds its way up the chimney.
• The baking of a roast or a chicken in the oven.
• The cinnamon, spices, and flavors of the holidays.

5. Hear

• The sounds of the season. Play holiday music. Call a friend or relative who you need to reconnect with and take time to talk, share and listen.
• The choir at church on a wintery day.
• The sounds of nature and the quiet of the world around you. Take a walk and take it all in, the stillness and the peacefulness.

Being JoyPowered^® means that you decide how you want to approach your day, work, family, colleagues, strangers, and yes, even the weather. Look for the good, the beauty, and the peace, and winter won’t just be a thing you have to get through.

If your team at work seems to have the winter blues, consider offering training on strengths or do an activity that will deepen engagement and bring positivity and new perspective to everyone and you can always take them out for a brisk walk followed up with hot chocolate!