“This isn’t about getting to where you think you want to be; this is about getting to the place of feeling good where ever you are!” ~Abraham Hicks
Let’s face, it winter isn’t for everyone. And if you have the Winter Blahs (also referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD) they can pull the rug out from under you. Once the work-up to Christmas is over, the inspiration of New Year’s resolutions has faded, and the warm and romantic feelings of Valentine’s Day have worn off, you can start to feel a bit down.
I am not suggesting we all get this way. However if we are honest with ourselves we have all had a taste or nibble of the Winter Blahs.
Beat the Winter Blahs
So if you are finding yourself in such a state here are a few ways you can snap yourself out of it and find your happy place again.
Get Moving
One bad thing about winter is how we can find ourselves being far less active than normal. That state doesn’t bode well for our feel-good hormones. Exercise makes us feel good, reduces stress and improves our immune system. If you are not doing outdoor activities in the winter, try to find something indoors. There are many options to choose from–either at a local gym or in your own home. Oh, I can hear the excuses now; those excuses, however, are not going to help you feel better, only worse. So get going and get moving.
Make Sure to Get Some Vitamin D
Studies have found that people with lower levels of Vitamin D seem to suffer more from the winter blahs. Could this be why we just feel happier in the summer?
It’s not just about the warm weather, flip flops and barbecuing. We all know vitamin D comes from the sun, and in the summer we just get more of it. In actual fact, the further away from the equator that you live the harder it is to produce Vitamin D all year round. If going south for a couple of months is not in the cards for you then it may be a good idea to take a good quality vitamin D supplement.
Take a Break from Negativity
As much as life does offer us much to be positive about, realistically there is plenty to be negative about as well. There is a saying that what you focus on expands. It follows then that paying too much attention to the negative may have a significant impact on our moods. If you are finding yourself a bit down in the dumps this February, try taking a break from all that is negative; gossiping, the news, and certain people, for example. Give this a try for a day, week or even a month and see how much better you will feel.
Cleanse and/or Make Healthier Food Choices
You are what you eat, so they say. I for one believe this to be true, not just because “they” say it but because I know I feel it.
When I eat healthy, light and cleansing foods I feel lighter and happier. When I eat heavy and not so healthy foods my mood follows suit. All of this heaviness can be eliminated with a good cleanse and then getting back into a healthier way of eating. Happy healthy food makes for a happy healthy mood.
Eat Chocolate
Yes, I said it and even after writing about eating healthy foods. But, when I say chocolate I don’t mean just any chocolate. I am talking about organic dark chocolate that has nutritional benefits as well as the ability to lift your mood. Personally I like Giddy Yoyo, and I indulge in it on a regular basis–guilt free!
Don’t take my word for it check them out for yourself at https://www.giddyyoyo.com/chocolate-bars/. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
These are just a few of the ways we can lift out of our Winter Blahs. Give one or all of them a try. If any of these suggestions don’t resonate with you then that is probably your Blahs talking. But either way find something that you know will work for you. Just make sure that it’s not a temporary, momentary gratification kind of fix but more of a positive lifestyle enhancement.
Have a happy week.
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