Autumn, with its multi-colors was beautiful. Then the days began to grow cooler, and with less and less light each day. This continued until the winter solstice. Then for most of us (and the further north you are, the more extreme this can be, for example the folks that live in Northern Canada or Alaska) the winter solstice brings at the very least a sigh of satisfaction knowing that the days ahead will begin to lengthen. At this time the Holidays are over. The weather is generally uncooperative. The sun is still very stingy, and it seems a long, dreary stretch between mid-winter and the time when the flowers will once again bud. You may feel irritable, bored, sluggish, and can start packing on a few pounds. This is called the Mid-Winter Blahs!
Some folks are affected by a form of depression referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but many of the rest of us are simply feeling the winter blahs, or what is commonly called cabin fever. Science itself has found that most people’s moods slumps when the weather gets colder, it is believed that this is at least partly due to the lack of light in the colder months.
If it is your experience to feel less then perky in the winter season, here are some tips that will help you overcome the blahs!
Practice Brightening up. Open up the shades and curtains in your home to let the sun light in. Especially on sunny days!
Practice Going Outside. Unless it is particularly harsh winter weather you need to go outside. If its cold, that is what coats, gloves and hats are for! Take a walk, appreciate the beauty of winter. For even though “old man winter” may at times be harsh he still has a beauty of his own, and that beauty is there if we look for it, and the appreciation of the beauty of God’s creation will brighten our day. You may feel adventurous and want to go ice skating or sledding. The brisk air, and the exercise will help you feel more energetic.
Practice Making Plans. The darkness and cold of winter undoubtedly causes most all of us to be held up inside more in the winter then in the summer months, especially if one does not have to get out to go to work. However, to keep feeling more productive and less isolated write a list of thing to do for the day, like running errands, meeting a friend for lunch or just a cup of tea, cleaning your closet, planning your next season’s yard and garden. These winter days and evenings can also be a very good time to dream out loud together with those closest to you about future events that you wish to see transpire in your lives. For remember it is said, “One can can stand still with out, when traveling with in.” So keep the dreams of your heart alive and bright, even though the darkness and cold of winter may be forcing you much more in doors then what you wish to be.
Practice Putting Color Into Your Surroundings. Decorate your home or office with green plants, and keep something that is orange on your desk or coffee table. Other mood lifters are yellows and reds. A bright scarf, hat, or coat can also boast your mood.
Practice Exercise. Your body is stimulated with happy hormones when we under go blood-pumping exercises, this happens while you build immunity at the same time. Find a reason to get yourself going. This may be on your treadmill, or simply taking a walk or jog in the outer doors. But remember, our Creator designed our bodies to move. Every person’s body strives better with exercise, and when the body feels good our mood is lifted.
Practice Paying Attention To Nutrition. Remember it is said, “A person is what he eats.” As this is true emotionally and psychology it is also true in regards to our food intake. Endeavor to resist the urge for sugar snacks which send energy and mood levels up and down as on a roller coaster ride. Also in the dark days of winter vitamin D will be found lacking in your body’s store. Vitamin D not only strengthens teeth and bones but will elevate your moods and help protect immunity. Omega 3 is also a proven mood booster. Also with these disciplines make sure you are eating plenty of brightly colored foods which will include fruits, vegetables and dark leafy greens.
Practice Shoring Up Your General Nutritional Needs. A general nutritional supplement is a must for insuring lasting health and well-being. Choose a general supplement that provides the broad spectrum of the basic nutrients that every person’s body is in need of. You will find this methodology far superior to attempting the guess work of putting together the many varied isolated nutrients that can be found on the supplement isle at the local grocery store. Why not choose a food supplement product where the manufacturer has done the home work for you, and placed the needed basic nutrients together in a synergistic mixture, where science has proven that each element compliments the other? This practice, along with the before mentioned, will do very much to ensure a good mood as a part of your general health and wellness, not only in the winter, but all year along.