Beat the Winter Blues
This has been such a hard winter for all of us. Record levels of snow, ice, sleet and all other winter nasties even here in Southtown! Seasonal Mood Disorder is very real and the more grey days we have and the less sunlight we see the more real it becomes! Here are some great tips to raise your spirits (and your immunity) during these dark cold days.
- When the sun is shining make sure you are out in it! Ten minutes of direct sunlight supplies your daily dose of Vitamin D. The light also acts as a natural anti-depressant.
- Exercise on a regular basis. It is so tempting to curl up on the couch with your Snuggie and not move until Spring, but exercise boost your immunity, raises your endorphins (feel good hormones) and also helps you sleep. It is more important than ever to move your bod!
- Try to stay away from the refined carbs and simple sugars – they are so tempting especially when you are on the couch in the Snuggie, but they will just leave you with a sugar crash.
- Full spectrum lamps that mimic the sun can also be very useful for curing the winter blues.
- Stay warm. I have been heating up my lavender filled silk pillow and curling up with that and a cup of tea.
- Get plenty of Omega 3s in your diet, fatty fish, flax seed oil and fish oil all are rich in this supplement.
- An apple a day really does keep the doc away. Eat yours with a little cheese or peanut butter for a balanced snack.
Finally, remember spring will be here before you know it and we can put the winter of 09-10 to bed!
