Super Easy Ways To Beat The Winter Blues

In the winter months, here along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, we are blessed to have lots of sun and an abundance of outdoor recreational activities.  This means that the "Winter Blues" are not as common here as they might be in other areas of the country.  Even with that in our favor, the lack of sun hours (compared to summer months) and other factors, such as holiday-related stress, can lead to a case of the "blahs" for many of us.  It's about that time of year where we start itching to get back outside.  Many of us are thinking about a warm beach and a hammock strung between a couple of palm trees with someone to bring us Pina Coladas when the urge strikes.

Are you are feeling fatigued these days, with moments of sadness and a lack of interest in participating in social activities?  Do you crave certain foods such as fatty foods and carbohydrates?  Do you find yourself wanting to withdraw from the world?  If so, the first thing you should do is ask your healthcare provider to give you their opinion.  Many different conditions can exhibit these types of feelings so it's important to involve them in your decision making.

There are a number of really easy things you can do to boost your mood that can be practiced anytime you are feeling down and you can do these things any time of the year and frankly, they should be incorporated into your daily life as much as possible.

Get The Sleep You Need

We are often guilty of being so busy that we feel like there are not enough hours in a day and sometimes we forgo sleep to try and finish our never-ending to-do list.  In the winter months our melatonin levels drop and this is the hormone that regulates our sleep.  It is especially important to make the effort to get the best sleep possible during the eight or so hours you are in bed.  Get a consistent amount of sleep at night (ask your healthcare provider to recommend a number of hours for you) and create an environment in your bedroom that is conducive to restful sleep.  It might be difficult but, remove as much electrical interference as possible.

Be Good To Yourself

This is another area in which we might overlook our own needs in favor of taking care of others.  Give yourself a "magic hour" each day to do something that makes you feel especially pampered.  Consider treating yourself to a manicure, scented bubble bath or a long, peaceful walk in nature.  The goal is to help yourself release all those feel-good hormones and give your mood a boost.

Keeping Drinking Water

This is especially important to us because we live at higher altitudes and we tend to have really dry winters.  Chapped skin and lips are especially bothersome in the winter months.  Not only is it necessary to drink plenty of fluids but humidifiers can work wonders for those who suffer from the effects of cold, dry winter air.  Remember, it is not only cold bottled water but even a warm cup of tea that counts toward your fluid intake each day.

Let The Sun Shine In

If it is really cold outside and getting out in the sun isn't feasible, bring the sun into your home.  Open curtains and shades and pull a rocker up close to the window for a sun bath.  The benefit of this exposure to the full spectrum of light is increased serotonin levels which lead to a sense of well-being.  You can also buy artificial sun products to help get more sunlight during the winter months. 

It's only a couple of months away now and the soil will start to warm as new life returns to our environment.  We will open all the windows, put on shorts and flip flops and work in the garden.  These activities are part of what contributes to the happiness we feel in the warmer months.  Try our suggestions when the sun refuses to shine and chances are good that your mood will be lifted and your sense of well-being renewed.  When the sun does shine, which is quite often here, get out in it and absorb the benefits.

Grandrabbit's has many awesome toys and games to help you get outside so you can get some sun and get moving this winter, call our toy experts for advice today!