Winter Blues are getting extremely common. As days get shorter, sunshine starts to disappear and nights become colder, nothing sounds better than creeping up next to the fireplace and snuggling under a warm blanket to ward off those winter blues with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
However, along with these comforting images, also come some winter blues that often manifest themselves in the form of mild depression, the lack of motivation to do anything and low energy levels. There is nothing to worry about, if you have a powerful mind by your side, there are a couple of things that you could do to seriously ward off those winter blues.
Speak with your health practitioner and your registered holistic nutritionist to get some ideas as how you can change your diet and lifestyle to achieve a healthy and active winter season. Your local homeopath too can give you some great solutions to stay warm and agile during the bitter wintry months.
In the meantime, a few tips can go a long way in making you feel warm and fuzzy all over.
Get Moving!
Exercise often is the answer to all your health problems. It is not only the best solution to lose weight and remain fit, but also is a great way to relieve the stress you feel in your mind. The effects of a good work out can last for hours, and when you have a good work out at the gym or even at home, you will have higher levels of energy and you will work up your metabolism too.
Eat Right!
What you eat has a direct impact on how you feel. It can affect your mood and your energy levels directly. In the winter if you wish to remain full of energy and be on your toes all day then you should avoid processed and refined foods like sugar, rice and white breads. These foods do not have the best nutrition levels, instead they devoid your body of all its energy leading you to feel depressed and have mood swings. Make complex carbohydrates a part of your diet instead; include brown rice, veggies, fruits and whole wheat breads to feel up and above. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water in a day. These foods are great to fill your mind and body with nutrients, stabilize your blood sugar levels and boost your energy levels.
Fun in the Sun
Being in the sun not only allows you to fill up on Vitamin D, but it also helps you improve your mood. Most winter days are short and gloomy, but on those days when the sun does come out, make sure you drag yourself out of bed and do things out doors. Lack of sunlight can affect your mood and you can get depressed more easily, get out in the sun, it helps you elevate your mood and feel more energetic.
You don’t even have to be outside all the time, make sure your curtains aren’t drawn, if you are in class, try and find a seat next to the window, request for a table near the window at a restaurant and change the lights in your home to full spectrum bulbs.
Choose Healthy Habits
Healthy Habits make for a healthy mind and body. People who exercise more, smoke less and eat healthy are less prone to feeling depressed during the cold winter months.
Drink Less
Try and avoid drinking too much during the winter months. Alcohol is a depressant and the more you depend on it, the more you will feel sad. A drink or two is fine, but do not overdo it.
Find some ‘Me’ Time
Be nice to yourself. Take some time out and plan a holiday, just a weekend can really rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Book an appointment at the spa, get out of your home and spend the day with your friends. Be active; keep thinking of ways in which you can have fun and act on them.
Relax!
Even though it is winter, life doesn’t stop. You have to report in to work, you have to participate in your child’s school obligations and you have to do your best at home to be good homemaker. However, all these stressing activities can take you down. You have to find time for yourself in a day to do absolutely nothing. A little bit of yoga can help you gain energy that will last through the day.
Fall in Love with Winter
There is nothing more powerful than the human mind. Condition your mind to love the season. Get out and see what people are up to and participate in activates that truly celebrate the spirit of winter. Go skiing, snowboarding or sledging with your family.
A few healthy and happy activities during the winter months can help you feel bright and shiny even in the cold, gloomy winter days. Be active, think positive and stay occupied and you will not even realize how the winter months pass you by.
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