Some people absolutely LOVE winter, if you are one of those, well sorry I can’t relate. I LOVE summer, the hot sticky days, going to the beach, lemonade, pool parties, drinks on the patio and best of all, ice cream, mmmmmm!!!!!

So when it comes to winter, well I have a super hard time adjusting and adapting to the cold, frigid weather. I try to stay positive and partake in the season by skating and skiing, but my patience and motivation does not last long.

This winter, it really seems like a downer because of the cold frigid weather. Personally December always goes by so fast because of all the preparations for the holiday season. But when January rolls by and the mercury dips even lower, well that’s when I really begin feeling the winter blues. Winter signals hibernation and unfortunately we are not bears and can’t take a super long nap until the warm breezes return. So we are left to deal with the effects on our body, mind and soul. Many people can relate to this and some of the symptoms that most people experience are:

• A change in appetite, particularly craving foods you know you should stay away from
• Weight gain
• Decreased energy
• Fatigue
• Tendency to oversleep which causes tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated
• Irritability, especially towards loved ones
• Avoidance of social situations
• Feelings of anxiety and despair

Well I have to say, in the last 2 weeks I have definitely experienced almost all of those. So I have decided to take   note of what I can do to break my winter blues other than count down the days until summer returns. Here are some suggestions:

• Take a vacation down south, unfortunately that’s not in my cards this year L
• Exposure to bright, artificial light (Remember your health care professional should be consulted before beginning light therapy)
• A midday walk outside to get fresh air and natural light. Even if its cold, bundle up and go out at least for 30 minutes a day
• Arrange your environment so you receive maximum sunlight
• Exercise relieves stress, builds energy and increases your mental and physical well-being
• Monitor your diet and make healthy choices
• Use aromatherapy candles or oils that have spring/summer scents like lavender
• Most important, be aware of your moods. Self-awareness can alleviate some of the feelings of distress during these seasons

What do you do to break free of winter? The more suggestions the better.