10 ways to prevent the Winter Blues

 

When the excitement of the Christmas Season is over, some years, I have struggled with feeling the WINTER BLUES.  After talking with some family and friends, I realized that I was not the only one that struggled with this too.  So I began doing a little research on my own.  I wasn't surprised to see that in several articles I read that the list of things to do is very similar.   I have selected 5 articles and shared their lists with you.   These lists can help you to fight through those mild cases of the Winter Blues, but if you feel extreme saddness or depression, please seek professional help. 

After my research, here are the 10 things I would like to work on this year

to prevent the Winter Blues for me..........

•   Sleep.  Get at least 8 hours of  sleep a night.
•   See the Sun Everyday or take a Vitamin D supplement. 
•   Eat a balanced Diet. (No wonder why we feel blue we have eaten enough sugar that we are recovering from a sugar hangover. 
•   Exercise.  (Don't say it like a four letter word.  Be active in something that you enjoy!)
•   Laughter.  (this is as easy as watching a favorite comedy or you tube everyday) 
•   Visit family and friends. (The holidays are usually spent with others so don't cut off those relationships just because it is cold outside.  Plan a game night, movie night or sledding with others.)
•   Write your gratefuls each day. 
•   Plan something fun to look forward to. (I look forward to blogging about it)
•   Find at least 10 things about the winter season that I love. 
What 10 things can you do?

Winter Blue Articles:

Winter Blues
1. Get 8 hours of sleep a night.
2. Supplement Vitamin D.
3.  Eat a balanced Diet.
4.  Consider Bright Light Therapy
5.  Get your body Moving
6.  Show yourself some compassion

Winter Blues
1.   Exercise
2.   Eat a healthy diet
3.   Get some sun.
4.   Act on your resolutions.
5.   Avoid Begin Drinking or Eating.
6.   Treat yourself.
7.   Relax
8.   Embrace the season
9.   Get social support
10. Catch some zzzz's

Winter Blues
1.  Light Therapy
2.  Vitamin D
3.  Omega 3
4.  Abstaining from Sugar, High-Fructose Corn Syrup and Artificial Sweetners
5.  Exercise
6.  Laughter
7.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Winter Blues
1.   Have your bedroom lights turn on a half hour before you're supposed to wake up
2.   Expose yourself to sunlight as early in the morning as you can.
3.   Use artificial light
4.   Exercise
5.   Watch your cravings
6.   Take a multivitamin containing vitamin D-3 daily
7.   Take up a winter activity.
8.   Set a goal.
9.   Break out of a rut.
10. Dress for cold.
11. Cozy up your home.
12. Accept the season.

Winter Blues
1.   Keep Active
2.   Get outside
3.   Keep Warm
4.   Eat Healthy
5.   See the Light
6.   Take up a new hobby
7.   See your friends and family
8.   Talk it through
9.   Join a support group
10. Seek help

Happy Winter!
Jan