Every year, no fail, I have a hard time fighting the 'winter blues'. The days are shorter. It is too cold to spend a lot of time outside. The opportunity for the necessary sunlight it takes to get the daily recommended vitamin D, is just about non existent. Unless you are into winter recreational activities, you find yourself hibernating for four months. You binge watch all of your favorite shows, maybe even a few shows you thought you weren't even interested in and you eat lots of unnecessary food which turns into lots of unnecessary weight. This is my situation every winter. Though I attempt to schedule things to do on the weekends and some weekdays during the winter, sometimes those hibernation habits still take over. It is hard not to give in when everyone around you is so comfortable with not doing anything because ''it's cold''. There is a reason why people are happier in places with warmer climates and recreational richness. Since I don't plan to move in the immediate future and winter's end isn't close enough, I decided to address the 'winter blues'. There are a lot of us who feel so terrible during the winter that life literally seems like a slow moving, terribly written, depressing film. So what can be done about it? How can we deal with this?
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| In front of the Motor Cycle Hall of Fame Museum on Saturday |
I write often about what I refer to as the 'Cure to Boredom'. Usually I refer to creating lists of things that I want to experience so that I am consistently exposing myself to new things and creating memorable experiences. The 'Cure to Boredom' happens to also be part of the cure to the winter blues. Most of us don't have the luxury of staying someplace warm to return once the season ends, that is something I strive for in my future. With that said, what we can do is make a conscious effort to make plans that will keep us busy. The body needs stimulation and so does the mind. Before the season began, I vowed to hike this winter, which still has not happened. There is still time. January activities were a little slow after the holidays but I have managed to make plans the last three consecutive weekends. I took a road-trip to Troy, Ohio to see the rock band Tesla February 7th. I spent Valentine's Day jamming to live music by Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Tyga at their 'In Between the Sheets' concert tour, and this past weekend I went into my Groupon storage to redeem brunch at one of my favorite places, (Superchef's) and finally checked out the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington.
Helpful Ways to Beat the Blues
Make a ' To do List'! If you find yourself struggling this winter, intentional activities are important. Make a list of things you love to do or new things you want to try that are season friendly. I love to go to museums, so this winter I planned to check out some museums I have never visited and visit new exhibits in museums I frequent. New things I want to try happen to be winter activities like building a snowman, sledding and snow tubing. Some of those items I mentioned I included in my seasonal 'To Do List'.
Take care of your body! Exercise always helps improve the mood, the endorphins alone will make you feel better. If you create the list I previously mentioned to include physical activities you will kill two birds with one stone.You can also add some items in your diet that help boost metabolism and boost energy. Dr. Oz suggests ginger tea and chilli peppers. Try to get your vitamin D when you can help it. It isn't something we can get easily through foods, our bodies produce it when we are exposed to sunlight. Spend time outside when it isn't as cold. Try a Vitamin D supplement with approval from your physician or a portable florescent light that mimics the same results as sunlight.
Inhale! Several sites and sources have suggested treating 'the winter blues' with scents. If you Google aromatherapy, lots of sites including blogs and magazine, will give you lists of scents that help with energy and depression. They also provide oil blend recipes that will help with what ever combination of things you are dealing with. I use peppermint oil to boost my energy as well as for numerous other issues like; migraines and body aches.
I hope this has been helpful to you!
Until next time,
Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!
Kris,
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| The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum |
Helpful Ways to Beat the Blues
Make a ' To do List'! If you find yourself struggling this winter, intentional activities are important. Make a list of things you love to do or new things you want to try that are season friendly. I love to go to museums, so this winter I planned to check out some museums I have never visited and visit new exhibits in museums I frequent. New things I want to try happen to be winter activities like building a snowman, sledding and snow tubing. Some of those items I mentioned I included in my seasonal 'To Do List'.
Take care of your body! Exercise always helps improve the mood, the endorphins alone will make you feel better. If you create the list I previously mentioned to include physical activities you will kill two birds with one stone.You can also add some items in your diet that help boost metabolism and boost energy. Dr. Oz suggests ginger tea and chilli peppers. Try to get your vitamin D when you can help it. It isn't something we can get easily through foods, our bodies produce it when we are exposed to sunlight. Spend time outside when it isn't as cold. Try a Vitamin D supplement with approval from your physician or a portable florescent light that mimics the same results as sunlight.
Inhale! Several sites and sources have suggested treating 'the winter blues' with scents. If you Google aromatherapy, lots of sites including blogs and magazine, will give you lists of scents that help with energy and depression. They also provide oil blend recipes that will help with what ever combination of things you are dealing with. I use peppermint oil to boost my energy as well as for numerous other issues like; migraines and body aches.
I hope this has been helpful to you!
Until next time,
Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!
Kris,
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