Combating Winter Blues

For many people, winter is a joyous time filled with Christmas Carols, falling snow, freezing weather, sweet pies, family feasts, and the endless rows of houses decorated from top to bottom in lights and garland. Of course, with every story, there is another side to it. Other people see this time of year as less than enjoyable. Some see it as gloomy or stressful as they gaze upon the shorts they will soon pack away or their long list of to-dos. Cooking, cleaning, entertaining, fighting crazy shoppers, and of course finding the perfect presents.

But do not be too troubled, I have a surprising revelation for you; it doesn’t have to be so hard. There are many ways you can make the wintertime something you look forward to, and not something you dread to call inevitable.

If the cold weather is the deciding factor for you, always be near warmth and hot drinks. Hot cocoa and coffee is essential when the cold winter months approach. Be sure to stock up on Hershey’s Cocoa powder and those big bags of mini-marshmallows. The perfect combination to a hot beverage is of course a good movie, pick a few of your favorite movies and sit down on the couch with your hot cocoa and an oversized blanket. This is also the time to sit by the fire and catch up on that book you’ve always wanted to read, or the scrapbook you are procrastinating.  You can finally have the time to do any forgotten hobbies you have neglected.

Another sweet remedy to get you in a better mood is to surround yourself with happy people. Go out with a friend that always knows how to put a smile on your face, and do something together that you both enjoy. Bake your favorite desserts or cook your favorite meals, and if that is even too much, go out to eat, it’s always nice to have a night away.   

If you are a more athletic person who loves their summer sports and getting their blood pumping, do not be distraught, there are many wintertime activities for you to participate in. If you are one of these athletic people, who live somewhere where snow is common, my advice to you is to participate in winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, and even sledding. For those who do not live in a commonly snowy area, you may want to consider finding an indoor pool to keep yourself active and healthy. Indoor swimming is a great way to build stamina and stay lean through winter.

Eat well, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. If you maintain a health-focused mindset, your workout routine will feel more necessary. Most importantly, however, is to ensure you're getting your vitamin D. Because we're getting less sunshine than normal—which is our main source of vitamin D—it's important to make sure we get it from other sources.

If all else fails, plan for the summer. Planning for something you are looking forward to is great way to get through any tough times. If you fill your mind with thoughts of beaches and sunny days, the cold ones will soon be forgotten.

So to all of you stressful shoppers, pie eaters, and despisers of the wintertime, raise your steaming mug of cocoa and cheer an upcoming winter filled with sweet treats, overly stuffed blankets, and warm fires. Discard that to-do list, pack away your summer clothes, and just enjoy the long winter ahead.