Wintertime Does Not Have to Give You the BluesYou’ve seen the movie The Shining haven’t you? “Poor ole” Jack Torrance lost his marbles after being secluded in an old hotel for the winter with his family.

I’m certainly not making light of “cabin fever” by any stretch of the imagination, but I am trying to create an exaggerated visualization of what it can be like to have the winter blues

None of you reading this will probably have had the experience that the “Jack Torrance” character in The Shining did, but many of you have at least had a mild experience of the winter blues.  Though, some of you may have experienced symptoms of cabin fever like mood swings, irritation, lethargy, sleep disturbances, weight loss or gain, lack of interest in once pleasurable activities, and so on. It doesn’t mean you are helpless to do anything about it.

The lack of light in wintertime, plus the inability to go outside, can lead to decreased levels of serotonin in some people; the mood-improving chemical that regulates hunger and the sensation of well-being to help your body to relax.  However, you can naturally increase the serotonin production in your body with light whether it be artificial indoor lighting or naturally from the sun.  Serotonin works within the brain to direct a variety of body functions. The brain chemical serotonin regulates your emotions, hunger, memory, sexual desire, and muscle function.

Caffeine suppresses serotonin

I’ve had an on again, off again relationship with caffeine for years. I know I don’t really need it every day, but I do look forward to my morning cup of java.

Caffeine can quickly use up the serotonin in your body. Insufficient serotonin may contribute to mood problems, including anxiety and depression.  The initial “pick me up” you get from caffeine momentarily increases serotonin levels, however you only end up “crashing” later on after your serotonin levels drop back down.

This can result with some people the desire to drink more caffeine to regain that initial feeling, however the results only last briefly. Some people even develop a caffeine addiction because of the temporary increase in serotonin.

Other Substances to Avoid or at least reduce

Alcohol, nicotine, sugar, and too many carbs also give you that initial serotonin rush, but the effects are short-lived with these substances too.

Good mood foods and activities that worked for me

  • Eat your Omega-3’s. Omega-3’s are considered healthy fats for your body. Think of it like this: your car motor needs oil in it so that the parts inside of it don’t corrode or seize up. Your body is the same way. Omega-3’s lubricate your internal parts so they move and operate more easily.
  • Take some vitamin B12. I have been taking B12 for over a year now to improve my moods, increase my mental stamina, and also my energy levels. It also does a great job of keeping my nerves relaxed and stable.
  • Get out the pad and paper and start drawing some pictures. I bought a really cool book on how to draw for $5.00 at Barnes and Noble. Activities that use the right brain are way more relaxing and calming then left brained exercises. Think about it. Which sounds like more fun to you? Solving complex math equations or doodling on a notepad?
  • Get moving, if you are adventurous go outside and do some work. Clean up the yard, wipe off the outside of your house, pick up tree branches and pine cones off the ground.
  • Wintertime Does Not Have to Give You the BluesDo some bird watching with binoculars. There are still plenty of birds outside to see and they would love your attention. I just saw a really cool bluebird in the tree in my backyard yesterday.
  • Get a Massage. The human body loves to be touched and cared for. Why not treat yourself to a full body massage once a week. Trust me, your body, mind, and soul all benefit from a good massage. If you cannot afford a massage than do it yourself. Just use some organic, natural massage oil and gently work on your body. Give extra attention to the bottom of your feet because they are one of the most neglected parts on the human body.
  • Take five minutes a day, three times a day to do some breathing exercises.  Breath in for a count of four seconds, hold your breath for eight seconds (if you can) and exhale for four seconds. This will immediately change you state of mind and well-being.
  • Watch some good comedies. You will literally change the way you feel by watching movies that make you laugh. I enjoy Jim Carrey movies or classics like Airplane and the Naked Gun series.
  • Eat natural, whole, organic and fresh foods. When we are feeling down we tend to indulge in foods that do not serve us. What we place into our body will have a direct effect on how we feel. Limit comfort foods as much as you can. I know this is hard to do, but being healthy both mentally and physically will really help you to cope with the winter blues.
  • Get Cooking. I love to find new recipes online and re-create them in my kitchen. There is something therapeutic about preparing and cooking meals at home.
  • Go for a drive. Take the family out or go solo for a relaxing, scenic country drive. Remember to keep a bag in your trunk for emergencies including extra clothes, gloves, food, drinks and a first aid kit.
  • Call your friends and family and catch up with them. Schedule a lunch or dinner date with them and offer to pay for it too. They will definitely say “yes” to this.
  • State five things for which you are grateful at the beginning and ending of each day. Today I am grateful for my health, my family, my home, my car, my creativity, etc.
  • Wintertime Does Not Have to Give You the BluesDo some yoga for about five or ten minutes in the morning because it will set your mood for the rest of the day. You can search YouTube for some great videos about yoga.
  • Make a smoothie. My family and I absolutely love smoothies and we generally make them at least four days a week. Smoothies are packed full of vitamins and minerals which help to support the good feelings in the body. My favorite smoothie recipe uses raspberries, bananas, avocado, spinach, lactose free kefir milk, ice, and organic honey as a sweetener.
  • Re-connect with your soul by writing out your feelings of why you feel the way you do. This process could take some time but you may uncover a limiting belief about why you feel sad or depressed during the winter. Once you discover the limiting belief you will be much more able to take action to feeling better.

Takeaway

Your body is a like an instrument. You must keep it tuned at all times in order for it to work properly for you. The best way to improve your moods is by feeding your body the right foods, getting enough daily exercise, getting enough rest, and of course don’t forget to have fun and play.

 

This post is written by Justin Mazza from Mazzastick Personal Growth blog. Be sure to sign up for his free newsletter and receive a copy of his latest eBook: The Personal Growth Handbook – Personal Development 101.

Justin is a husband, father, and blogger who has committed himself to being a life-long student and teacher of personal and spiritual growth. He began his personal development journey back in 1997 reading over 700 books about personal development, spiritual growth, health and nutrition and metaphysical studies.

Justin has recently added personal coaching services to help people achieve their dreams by re-connecting with who they really are.

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11 Comments

  1. Debbie Hampton Reply

    Justin,
    Thanks so much for this awesome post. I can really use these tips today as it is raining for the fourth day in a row, I think with more or snow projected for tomorrow. Ugh! I am ready to see the sun!

    I especially like the idea of giving yourself a massage. I live by myself and am not in a relationship, so, I never get hugged or touched. Touching is critical for the release of good brain chemicals, as you know. I do get a massage every once in a while, but I like this idea for the in between time.

    Thanks, again, for these great tips and all the wonderful information. 🙂

    • Thank you Debbie as well. 🙂 I am always humbled when I am given the opportunity to write a guest post on one of my favorite blogs.

      Giving hugs to people you meet is a great way to open the heart chakra and it makes us feel good too.

      I bought an expensive massager (Maxiwell) a few years ago and it is awesome for stimulating and healing the body, and as you mentioned, massage or touch releases those feel good chemicals which we all need.

      I am now off to walk my talk by going outside,( here in Maryland it’s been rather warm considering the time of year) and chop some firewood.

      Take Care Debbie.

  2. Thanks for the great tips. Living back in the frozen tundra I have to make it a priority to get out in the sunshine no matter how cold it is. And the temptation to drink coffee, black tea, and hot cocoa just to keep warm has to be kept at bay. I started drinking a lot of hot water with lemon and Bragg’s apple cider vinegar (with mothers) to help stay warm and improve my immune system. As always Debbie, your posts are perfect.

    • Wow Tony, It looks like you are already on the ball. I too enjoy my coffee and sometimes tea, but it is definitely not good for the mind when we are stuck indoors for too long.

      Hot lemon water and apple cider vinegar are two of my favorites.

      Take Care.

  3. Awesome suggestions. Thank You. I am going print these out. Speaking of omega 3 and smoothies, I add CHIA to mine. It’s good stuff! I’m also super sensitive to caffeine but I love that morning coffee as well but this is giving me incentive to perhaps attempt to wean it out and see if my anxiety goes away. Intuitively, I believe caffeine is the culprit in my case.

    • Hi Val,
      I have never used Chia but I will definitely check it out. I think I will soon completely remove caffeine from my diet. Perhaps even this year.

      Most holistic health approaches suggest eliminating caffeine from the diet because the negative effects severely outweigh any positive advantages.

      Take care.

  4. Judy M. Hampton Reply

    Wonderful, as always! We have had a few “create your own sunshine” days! Lots of love and hugs, too. Mom

  5. Olivia Martin Reply

    There is a ton of great information here. Most can apply to all seasons. Thanks.

  6. Pingback: The Winter of 2014 – Monday Madeleines

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