Banishing Winter Blahs

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For those who live in winter climates, February is a time when the winter blahs set in. When winter first begins, many appreciate the beauty of a snowy day and the exhilaration of breathing sharp cold air. But it is easy to grow weary of these winter pleasures as cabin fever begins to set in. No wonder many snowbirds take vacations to warm places in February and early March.
You don’t need a vacation to lighten your spirit and banish the winter blahs. Here are some coping techniques that will help.
Bring light into your home. Make sure your blinds or curtains are open during the bright part of the day. On a gray day it is easy to forget to let the light in. Studies have proven that some people experience depression when they don’t get enough light. Natural light is a great tonic but some people need more. Sun lamps have been designed to help those who suffer from winter depression.
Go out into the light. Bundle up and take a brisk walk. It can be hard to get motivated to leave a warm home but the rewards are well worth it. You will feel invigorated even by a short foray out. Walking in cold air can cure a headache, sharpen your focus, and increase your energy.
Find the light in the night. Take a starlight walk. Gaze at the expanse of the universe. Each time I walk under the moon and stars, I feel such wonder at the world. The vastness of the stars speaks to our souls.
Bring the warmth of natural fire into your home. Winter is the time to indulge in candles. Treat yourself to some nice aromatic candles – perhaps the cozy winter smells of firtree, apple or cinnamon will appeal to you – or maybe you need some summer scents such as jasmine or honeysuckle. And there is nothing more hypnotizing then a fire if you have a fireplace. Many people view their fireplace or gas logs as merely decorative but the real pleasure is in using it. Try throwing some “magic pinecones” in for a lovely lightshow.
Plan your life to have daylight time for you. Have a few workdays a week when you are not leaving in the dark and returning home in the dark. Nothing is more disheartening then to be inside during the only available daylight hours. I used to feel like I was working in the mines if I was not at home during some daylight. If your schedule is inflexible, at least take a short walk during lunch to revive your spirit.
Take advantage of the gift of good weather. Every once in a while, the weather breaks and we are given a mild day. Whatever you had to do that day, it should not supersede your need for a pick-me up. Often we are so locked into “doing”, that we don’t see the possibilities of “being.” Time spent being calm and happy in the sunlight is precious. Clear the schedule, even just a small block, and take advantage of a mild day. It may only stay of a day and then winter’s chill returns.
Keep your feet and head warm and dry. This may sound like your mother’s refrain, but sometimes mom was right. Many people are not tuned into their bodies enough to realize when they are uncomfortable. Being cold and damp makes our bodies tense, as our circulation system tries to re-warm us. Padding around the house barefoot, arriving to work in freezing weather with damp hair, or wearing dress shoes as you wade through snow not only lowers our immune system,karen millen dresses, it makes us feel miserable if we stop to really notice our bodies.
Don’t give up on your exercise. It is easy to put off exercising when it is hard to get outside. Winter cloths cover more and there is no swimsuit to keep us motivated. Exercise increases endorphins and raises serotonin levels keeping us upbeat and optimistic. A walk, an exercise video, or yoga are all easy ways to exercise at home.
Take a winter picnic. As a child one of my favorite things was when my family took a winter picnic on a short hike. Mom would pack soup or hot chocolate in a thermos and it tasted so good. Nothing beats the combination of the crisp air, the appetite built up by exercise and the warming sensation of hot liquid. Now it makes me feel like such a hardy soul.
Baby your skin. Winter is a tough on our skin. Cracked dry skin and chapped lips are unnecessary irritants that make us feel cranky. Make sure you keep yourself lubricated. Pay a little extra for a thick lotion and slather it on. Many of the scented lotions at fancy shops are not up to winters’ challenge. Pamper your feet by at bedtime by putting vaseline on them and then wearing socks.
February is the shortest month of the year but it often feels like the longest. It is easy to feel desperate for the coming of spring. No wonder even the groundhog peeks out to check the weather. But finding ways to lighten your spirit and nourish your body will keep you balanced and upbeat through the end of winter.