By Sarah Trass

Happy Matariki! I find the timing of this celebration quite fitting, as June is typically when we start to feel a bit flat. If you're sitting there thinking 'yep that's me!', you're not alone – one in four are significantly affected by changes in season, clinically referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The cold snaps in the weather can affect our appetite, our weight, our desire to leave the house, as well as how we view ourselves and the life we lead. The majority of us can find ourselves focusing on everything we haven't achieved over the last six months, or beating ourselves up over the so called 'failures' we've encountered along the way.

So, what can we do to stay motivated this winter?

With Matariki giving us a boost of inspiration, beat the seasonal blues by changing your mindset. Start by focusing on all the positive things that have been happening for you this year, and how you can bring more of this into your life over the next few months. What specifically made these things work well? What do you need to continue doing, and what do you need to let go of?

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To help you get going, reflect on the following:

What activities have made you feel good about yourself? What needs to happen for you to bring more of this into your life?

Who do you love spending time with? How can you build on these relationships?

What habits around food and exercise work well for you? How can you continue to commit to these, even when the days get chilly and grey?

What self-care rituals do you need to schedule in JUST FOR YOU, that leave you feeling more centred and re-energised?

Taking the time to build your self-awareness will be your most powerful tool going into winter. Focusing on what brings you greater health, happiness and fulfilment, puts you in a position of choice and emotionally strong in the face of life's squally patches.

Create a life you love this winter!