Winter Blues

Winter Blues

Feeling a lack of energy during the months of January and February is very common for many people. It is a time where Christmas has come and gone and our family and friends resume their regular work or school schedule. During these months it is common that we try to implement our New Year’s resolutions, loose extra pounds we gained over Christmas and be confined indoors due to the weather. Staying ahead of the winter blues is important, especially for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. This disorder prevalent within Canada because we have a significant drop of Vitamin D intake, during the winter months. We are not capable of being outdoors often, lacking fresh air and sunlight. Our days also get shorter and it seems as though we are going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. It is very important to take precautionary steps towards prevention of SAD.

1. Are you drinking enough water every day? Although many people feel like 8 glasses of water per day is a lot they seem to easily consume a bottle of wine or a dozen beer over the course of an evening. It is something you need to consciously remember to do. Caffeine is how many of us start our day, which also dehydrates our bodies. First and foremost, remember to drink as much water as possible.
2. Do you treat food as fuel or as a means of gratifying your taste buds? Food can have a huge impact on your body during the winter months. Make sure to keep your vitamin C intake high to combat with flu season. This means ingesting foods with high amounts of Vitamin C such as Oranges, dark leafy greens, bell peppers and broccoli.
3. Get regular amounts of Vitamin D! Our ‘sunshine vitamin’ becomes severely depleted during the winter months. Although some people visit tanning beds and consider this an adequate source, I disagree. A microwave may heat your food for you, but it comes with damage to essential nutrients in your food. This is similar to tanning with the radiation of a tanning bed.
4. Exercise regularly. Introduce a new work out routine into your New Year’s resolution and see how long you can stick to it for.
5. Write down a vision board and list your goals for the upcoming year. Feeling a sense of progress during the winter months is vital to keep your mind sharp and your blues away.
6. See the positive sides of winter. I know this is hard to do (for all of us), but there are certainly a few things associated with winter that we can all enjoy. Warm apple Cider, skating outdoors, watching a hockey game, skiing or a winter bonfire. Make the most of it. See the beauty in nature -take photos, walk outside and bundle up!

These examples may not completely reverse your inevitable winter blues but they sure will help!