The Sparkles, glitter and bright lights of the holidays are over, replaced by gray, gloomy, snowy, rainy/icy weather.  Yay.  It’s January, probably the gloomiest month of the year for many. It’s cold out and the sun seems to have taken a well-deserved vacation.  Outdoor activities are limited (unless you have lots of thermals), and your house is your new best friend.

For many, the effects of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) kicks in high gear. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be a severe condition that should not be ignored. Shorter daylight hours and less sunlight during the winter months don’t help people with SAD, who suffer with mood swings and symptoms like those of depression. And just like depression, SAD can have serious impacts on day-to-day activities, both professionally and personally.  A lot of people experience a shift in their internal biological clock, also known as their circadian rhythm, which can cause them to become out of sync with their daily schedule.

Does this sound like you or someone you know?  If so, there are things you can do to help lift your spirits and feel so much better!  You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you approach the weather.  

I have the following tips/ideas that may help with your feelings of gloom this winter.

Join a local gym

If you have Gym equipment at home, that’s fantastic, however, if you are like most people, people who exercise at home seem to not push their selves as they would at a gym. You are still in your house, and you are still alone.  At the gym, there are bright lights.  There are people.  It is a totally different atmosphere, that I can guarantee will make you feel better.  Feel intimidated by going to a gym.  WHY???  Most people. who are going to the gym are not picture-perfect models, and if there are a few that seem like that, you really don’t know their story or what they were before they are now.  Get rid of your intimidating feelings!

Check your Vitamin D levels

Sunlight is a source of Vitamin D, a nutrient that’s linked to sharper thinking and better emotional health. Check with your doctor about whether a vitamin D supplement is right for you or not.

Utilize light therapy

Move your chair next to your window and open the curtains/blinds all the way during the day!  You can go online and buy lamps that simulate natural light too. 

 Then of course there is the “Healthy Eating Habit”.  Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains can boost your energy and are vital year-round. Fruits and veggies of deep green or orange, like broccoli, kale, and carrots, have nutrients that promote better mood and total health.  Get in the habit of eating like this ALL the time, and not just in the winter months.

Nurture yourself

Slow down, grab a nice cup of hot coffee, tea or cocoa and read a great book (By your window of course).  Write in your journal.  Color in one of the many adult coloring books or grab your grandkids books. Buy a paint by number kits and get an easel to put it on.  Stimulate your senses by playing your favorite music…loudly!  Get a diffuser and add some “smelly good” essential oils to it.  Practice daily positive affirmations.  Turn off the news.  Watch mindless comedies. 

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL, COME AND SEE US AT THE MARSHALL COUNTY CO-OP.  We will have seeds for your early inside planting plus so much other garden, “summery things”, along with puzzles and more to keep your mind busy!