Dealing with the Winter Blues

The days get shorter and darker, the weather gets colder, and, by necessity, most of us spend a lot more time inside. But you don’t have to fall prey to the Winter Blues.

It’s not always easy to remain a “glass-half-full” kind of person during the winter months. The days get shorter and darker, the weather gets colder, and, by necessity, most of us spend a lot more time inside.

Stay active SOCIALLY.
Even though it’s not always as easy during the winter as it is during the long sunny days of summer, it’s important to remain active socially and keep yourself in the company of friends. Otherwise, it’s too easy to slip into the kind of solitude that can lead to loneliness and other dark emotions. So think about some of these suggestions that can keep your social calendar lively.

• Plan a weekly after-work dinner for yourself and some of your co-workers. You don’t have to do anything elaborate here; just pick a spot to meet right after work, and let everyone know that you’ll meet there every week at the end of the workday.
• Meet a friend for lunch on a regular basis. The consistency of being in the company of someone you like and who also likes you can help you stay energized and connected.
• Watch for group meetings that will get you out of the house and keep you relating with the people around you. Join a club. Explore the possibility of community theater. Look into activities hosted by a singles group nearby. It doesn’t matter exactly what you do. Just stay connected to other people and enjoy the numerous emotional and psychological benefits that come with your various relationships.

Stay active PHYSICALLY.
Where you live, it may not be practical to go for long walks or to exercise outdoors as you do during the summer. But there are plenty of ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle even during the winter months. What’s most important is that you stay active physically. Here are some physical activity suggestions for the cold days ahead:

• Join a gym. This is a great way to stay in shape when it’s cold outside. There, you can try out different types of exercise and find the ones you enjoy most (or hate the least).
• Work out in your own home. Check out the TV programs that lead you through yoga or aerobic exercises. Or get a treadmill or a set of weights.
• If weather permits, take a quick walk during your lunch break. Find a buddy who’s also looking for ways to stay active, and put in motion a lunchtime ritual that will be good for you both physically and emotionally.
• Make sure to get enough sunlight. Lack of light can lead to seasonal affective disorder and other forms of depression. So do what you can to get plenty of light. Throw open your blinds during the day, leave lights bright in rooms you’re in, maybe even think about going south for a vacation.

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