Thursday, October 21, 2010

Winter is not meant to be a meltdown

6 Ways To Survive The Winter Blues

 Winter is fast approaching.  I tend to feel more tired and sad during the winter months.  I found some helpful tips for stopping the winter blues and wanted to share them with you.  The nice part is you can follow these suggestions year-round.

1. Daily multivitamin, Omega-3, and Evening primrose oil: Our brains need a steady supply of omega-3 found in fish.  Most adults don't get enough fish in their diet and omega-3 can help. Evening primrose oil helps with PMS and gives your brain an essential fat called GLA.

2. Think Positive!:  Depression leads to rumination.  Rumination is when you think about negative things over and over.  When you start to feel yourself thinking and talking negatively.   Occupy your mind with some engaging activity like spending time with friends, crossword puzzles, reading a book, the list could go on and on.

3. Physical Exercise:  Need I say more?  Try to get 35 minutes 5 days a week of heart pumping exercise.

4.  Let the Sunshine In!  Did you know getting outdoors for 15 minutes a day can help decrease the winter blues?  Make sure you bundle up.  Even in the winter outdoor light is much better than indoor lights.

5.  Be a A Social Butterfly!: As American we spend too much of our leisure time in front of a box computer or television.  Stay connected with friends and loved one.  If you have lost touch with them try reconnecting with them.  I'm sure they would love to hear from you.  Each week I challenge myself to have a conversation with someone different after church.

6. Sleep! Another need I say more.  Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

7. ??? What are some way's your going to fight the winter blues?


Suggestions come from the book The Depression Cure by Stephen S. Ilardi PH. D





3 comments:

Charlie said...

I love your post! I love the fall and winter months. It gives us some relief here in the desert. Some of the ways I enjoy the winter months is with a cup of tea. I love tea. My son and I will sit relaxing in the living room with a great cup of tea. I love those evenings together. Mint tea, is very refreshing while berry teas are just delightful.

When I feel down, I try to remember all the people and things that the Lord has blessed me with. It's hard to feel down when I concentrate on all the blessings in my life. It reminds me to be thankful always.

Charlie

Unknown said...

We totally need this in the North of Spain where we normally live as missionaries. It rains almost all winter. uhhhgg! So, these are some great pointers an I will implement them this year. Thank you for posting this, Rebecca!

Looking to the Lord and Crunchin' it,
Dani Joy

Anonymous said...

Great tips! I didn't realize about the fish oil . Thanks! :-)

Kathryn :-)