Feeling dreary, Dearie?
Try My Top 9 Winter Blues Busters
Are your energy, spirits and attitudes scraping the bottom of the winter barrel?
That is perfectly natural. And, by ‘natural’, I mean a part of nature that is almost unavoidable.
It’s dark and cold out there! (Even if you don’t live in the North or East, weather has been pretty crazy lately.)
By definition, everything moves more slowly in winter. And, if humans had more sense, we’d be a bit more like your furry friends and have planned to do less during the dark months.
Are you less busy or obligated right now? I’m not!
We are all just struggling against nature and slogging through a downward cycle. In fact, U.K. psychologist, Cliff Arnall, developed a mathematical calculation that suggests the third week of the year is the saddest time of the year. In the chilly, not-so-fun, aftermath of the holidays, how could it be anything but?
So, what can we do about it? Try the 9 great tips following the jump.
The trick is to take special care of yourself. Here are the best ways to stay healthy and happy over the next couple of months. (If you have a number 10, please tell us in the comments.)
Keep moving to keep moving
The more you exercise, the better you will feel. As an extra, added bonus, you’ll be warmer. A Jacuzzi can be a nice, immediate reward for a good workout at the gym and entering the spring months without extra pounds is even better.
Eat a healthy diet
Avoid ‘white’ carbs (white rice, potatoes, pasta) and stock up on dark foods (leafy greens, root vegetables, sweet potatoes and brown rice). Your digestion will thank you and you will avoid those deadly carbo-crashes.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water. Just as in warm weather, dehydration brought on by low humidity, building heat and stress can make you more tired and ill-feeling than anything else. Drink a little more water than you think you want. Try a small splash of fruit juice, or chilled herb teas to make water more appealing. (I LOVE Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice for this.)
Catch more than 40 winks
Wanting to nap during dreary days is not necessarily a sign of depression. It’s a natural response to the dark. Rather than watching the third football game on a Sunday, or spending those two extra hours on the Internet, take a nap. Then do some stretches and a couple of jumping jacks to get your blood moving again.
Avoid alcohol
Oddly enough, we think alcohol makes us ‘happy’, when it is actually a depressant. Holiday parties inspire us to imbibe more than usual and it can be difficult to cut back amid the holiday letdown. When in doubt, eliminate drinking anything but healthy beverages and then check your mood.
Take advantage of every scrap of sun available
You NEED sun for vitamin D and vitality. Get all that you can. I’ve taken to joining my dog on the floor when a nice sunbeam floods my living room window. It really is comforting. When there is no sunbeam, visit a dog park or skating rink to be inspired by pooches and people who know how to enjoy the cold.
Find ways to stay organized
Nothing brings me down even lower than a home or office that is as difficult to navigate as the rain and snow.
Toss junk mail in the bin before you even bring it in the house.
Wash dishes before they can pile up. I bought a dish brush with on-board dish washing liquid at Hill’s Kitchen, which makes clean up an easy swish! (Plus, I feel warm inside for supporting a local, much loved, business. Double bonus!)
Consider a less cluttered bed that can be made more easily. I use a European style flannel duvet cover and, like my friends across the Pond, skip the top sheet. Not only am I warmer, more comfortable and less stressed with bunched up sheets, but making the bed involves nothing more than a flick of the wrist.
Get creative with organizing and you’ll be less stressed and more focused while you slog toward May flowers.
Surround yourself with supportive people
Band together to beat the blues. Find an uplifting activity, watch a funny movie, play hilarious games (Charades, Pictionary), challenging word games, or chess, to keep your mind active. If you must, let yourself b**ch about how down you are for the first 10 minutes and then find a fun solution.
Say yes to saying no
Participate in only the activities that lift your spirits and give you energy. If the friend who never has a good word to say wants to gobble up your Sunday afternoon, reply, ”I have an obligation then.” This happens to be true…you are obligated to take special care of yourself!
Tags: attitude, depression, diet, powerful tools, self help