Animal magic

If you’re in a winter slump and feeling glum, it’s time to take inspiration from the natural world

These cold, dark months can be difficult for many people, and feeling lethargic, low and grumpy is common. However, help could be at hand from an unlikely source – the animal kingdom.

Yes, from cats and chameleons to alligators and ants, the natural world is full of inspiring habits that we can adopt in our own lives too.

Sleep like a sloth

Sloths sleep for 15 to 18 hours a day and, while we humans don’t need quite as much kip, it’s important to remember that rest is your body’s way of refreshing and repairing itself. Be good to yourself by staying asleep for as long as you need, so you feel recharged and ready to go when morning comes around.

Stretch like a cat

Ever watched a cat stretch luxuriously after a long nap? They do it to keep blood pumping after long periods of inactivity. Just like cats, you were not made to stay still all day. Indeed, when you’ve been sitting in the same position for too long, your body may start to complain with aches and twinges.

So, every 20 minutes, get up and stretch out your arms and legs, breathing deeply and enjoying the release of tension.

Enjoy raw food like a rabbit

Your diet is your lifeforce, so try to make sure that it’s varied. You need the goodness of plant power and your meals should be bursting with fresh flavours and colours every day. All those vitamins and minerals will keep you bouncing happily through life.

Sunbathe like an alligator

Alligators sunbathe to warm up their bodies. And while we only need a few minutes a day, sunlight is good for us as it boosts vitamin D levels and puts us in a good mood. Try to get out in daylight for at least 15 minutes a day and you’ll be beaming in no time.

Embrace teamwork like an ant

Ants work as a team and all have their own roles, from finding food to defending the colony. Ever watched a team of ants lift a huge morsel of food by working together?

As humans, we’re always part of something bigger, and when we work with others, we can achieve great things that we couldn’t achieve alone. Wherever you are in life, play your role passionately, help the people around you diligently and enjoy the fruits of your success as a team.

Be playful like a puppy

Play time is never wasted time. You need regular breaks from your work, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time. Taking your mind off difficult tasks and doing something creative or frivolous, purely for the enjoyment of it, will stop you from burning out.

Go slow like a tortoise

Many tortoises move at less than a mile an hour. But going slow isn’t always a bad thing – you get things done in less time if you don’t rush them. Indeed if you’re hasty, you end up spending extra time fixing avoidable mistakes. So ease off the throttle, take a breath, then resume your mission with

calmness and care.

Nest like a bird

Your environment influences the life you lead and the thoughts you have.

So, wherever you live, whether it’s a temporary spot or somewhere you want to stay put, make an effort to keep your home tidy and organised, and find ways to decorate your living space to keep yourself feeling comfortable and content.

Dance like a honeybee

Honeybees are known for their waggle dance, which is how they tell fellow bees where to find the best sources of nectar.

Life is one big dancefloor, so don’t waste the opportunity to move. Dancing is great exercise and feel-good music can lift the spirits. Even if you’re just cooking in the kitchen with the radio on, shaking your hips to a killer tune does wonders for your sense of

wellbeing.

Adapt like a chameleon

Their clever colourchanging skin helps them adapt to whatever situation they find themselves in. So why not take inspiration from chameleons?

Your tried-and-tested methods of dealing with problems may have worked up to this point, but something unexpected is always around the corner. Stay flexible and you’ll soon hit upon the best way to handle any unfamiliar situation. ■■Extracted by Elizabeth Archer from Animal Wisdom: Nature’s Guide to a Happy Life by Sam Hart (£7.99, Summersdale)