Avoiding the Winter "Blahs"
I came across this article by an insurance provider on avoiding the winter blahs!. They seem like sensible ideas to me.
6 Tips for Avoiding the Winter Blahs
With fewer hours of daylight and cold temperatures, it is common to occasionally feel down in the winter. But a feeling of sadness that lasts for more than a week or two could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that cycles with the seasons. The symptoms are similar to depression, but SAD only occurs during certain times of the year.
How to Prevent or Reduce Seasonal Depression
1. Go outside
If conditions allow it, try and go outside for a few minutes of daylight every day. If you are unable to get outside regularly, using a light box (a lamp that gives off light similar to natural sunlight) may help.
2. Eat well
Colder weather causes us to crave sweets and starches but it
This week, going outside wasn't really an option. Even just getting out driving without going directly outside would have been too much.
The seed catalogs are out though - both mailed if preferred to have a physical copy and online!
@AffyAvo yes that is my hope to think of things to do when spring finally arrives like planting gardens.
This is a great list - thanks for sharing it with us.
My husband uses a uv lamp to fight the winter blues. It helps him.
@MissPen I think that is good. I find a quartz heater when used properly throws off a nice heat. Have to keep away from anything else that is flammable.
@soulsings
Going outside will certainly not work for me because of the cold causes health problems in the winter for me. I use a Lighting Science FG-02263 Goodnight Sleep Bulb to simulate sunlight indoors and it works great. Also, to improve indoor air quality I use a HEPA air cleaner that also has a UV light and it puts out negative ions so it smells like it just rained. It is very good for your health as well. I put on YouTube videos for my cat. It is beautiful green scenery and birds, I like the videos by Paul Dinning. I think seeing some green is nice for those of us under snow for a long time. I like having it on while I am doing other things, it does seem to help my mood. I am making plans for the garden, and I am exercising but at this point, it is baby steps, just trying to keep a daily routine going even it is is a short and simple one. Going easy on myself is part of my self-care :)
@1Marg1 sounds like you have some great self care ideas. I love the smell after rain.
Maybe your cat would love some of these mindfulness music youtubes: https://www.7cups.com/forum/MindfulnessSupportCommunity_106/ResourceLibrary_1062/
Thanks for sharing.
@soulsings perfect timing for this! I have a case of the winter blahs! I'm trying to get out at least once a day for a walk as it really seems to help my overall blahs. Also trying to carve out an hour in the evening for something creative, this is helping with the dark afternoons and evenings.
@Jill7cups sorry you too suffer from the winter blahs. But it is not contagious. In fact part of the cure is expressing your frustration with weather and snow and brown trees. LOL
I know part of what helps me is a cup of ginger tea in the morning to get my energy going or a cup of strong peppermint tea at night to relax. Also helps settle my stomach too.
@soulsings peppermint tea is the best. Actually spearmint might be the BEST best but hard to find locally. May your blahs be short and your tea be strong!
@Jill7cups thank you for the blessing!
@soulsings
This is a great post with very helpful information! When living in my country of birth I used to suffer a lot from the winter blahs, thankfully I got enough sun and warmth now.
@amiablePeace77 you are the sunshine every time you walk into a discussion. Keep bringing that sunshine - we need it!
@soulsings
You just made my day 
, thanks. Love the community
A psychistrist once told me that even on cloudy days going outside is good for you. Obviously, not for people who have other issues so they can't. Doc said that even on a cloudy winter day, the amout of sunlight you get on your retinas is much greater than bright indoor light! Also, for those who wake up too early and can't fall back to sleep, afternoon exercise is best. I have the other type, hard to wake up and get moving. Doc said go outside for a walk every morning at 8 am. They make it sound so simple, but it's just The Pits! Why oh why is the right thing, the good thing, the healthy thing, the least thing that I want to hear? Oops, off topic. Sorry.
@Chickadee123 I am slow to get out of bed. I do a variety of yoga floor stretching exercises before I get out of bed and it helps me get enough energy to pick myself out of bed.
