Have you ever noticed how bad weather seems to
drag the spirit down with it? There's nothing you
can do about the weather, but there are various
things you can do to keep your spirits up until
spring.
!! Steps !!
* Find things to enjoy about winter. A snowy,
icy, cold, or rainy world can be beautiful and often has sounds
and smells all its own. If you're an artist, photographer, or
craftsperson, winter provides a great deal of inspiration and
different colors to work with. Even if you don't feel that
creative, simply watching a winter scene from the comfort of your
home can be a pleasant way to relax and enjoy the peace.
* Wear layers. Furry hoods are optional. Stay warm. Whether that
means sitting by the fire, snuggling up with a loved one or pet,
piling on the blankets, or having a warm drink, keep yourself
warm. And don't neglect your feet – cozy socks and slippers are
a must-have for keeping you toasty warm all winter.
Find something to do besides stew about the
weather. This would be a great time to read
that book that's been on your list—or even
write it. Play cards, clean the house, cook
up a big pot of soup, take up a hobby, or
knit another warm sweater. It's also a good
time to sort photos, computer files, fabric
stashes, and anything else that has
accumulated over the other months of the
year.
* Go to the movies more frequently.
* Visit museums, art galleries, astronomy observatories, food-making
facilities (e.g., chocolate, cheese, etc.), and while away the
cold hours in their heated rooms learning something new.
* Use indoor sports facilities such as rock-climbing walls, squash
courts, badminton halls, etc.
* Read How to keep kids entertained in winter for ideas on keeping
children happy in winter.
Brighten up. Winter comes with the shortest
days and lowest light of the year. Go out if
you can. If you can't, or if you're so far
north as to have little or no daylight, use
full-spectrum lights, light or white walls,
and perhaps some vibrant accent colors.
* Learn how to make winter window decorations.
Browse seed catalogs and plan your garden.
There's nothing quite as promising as the
idea that spring is around the corner. You
could even start some plants indoors under
artificial light.
* See How to grow winter salads and How to winter sow seeds outdoors
for more ideas.
* Take a walk in your garden or the local park and spotting how the
wildlife survives and how the plants are coping. You might like to
try identifying trees in winter as well.
Stay active. As much as possible, get
yourself outside. Bundle up and take at least
a short walk. If the weather does not permit,
move around inside. Walk up and down your
stairs if you have them. Do a workout tape or
use that treadmill or stair machine that is
gathering dust. Exercise gets your body
temperature up and your blood flowing. It
also regulates such things as sleep and diet.
Move around at least a bit each day.
* If you have a dog, keep walking him during winter. It will do both
of you the world of good and it's a regular routine that helps to
get you outside exercising. Read How to keep dogs warm in the
winter for tips on keeping your dog warm when walking.
* See How to jog in cold weather, How to walk in the winter and How
to keep running during snow season for lots of helpful winter
exercise tips.
Canned or dried fruits and vegetables can stand in part time if
there is not much fresh produce locally. Eat properly. You may
tend to eat more in winter, whether because of holidays or
because your body craves more energy. Either way, try to keep a
balanced diet including whatever fruits and vegetables (dried or
canned if necessary) you can. Try not to overdo it on the sugars
and starch.
* Choose your carbohydrates wisely. It's natural to crave them
during colder months and it's important to consume complex
carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables and enriched wholegrains) over
processed food.[1]
* Maintain your vitamin intake. Vitamin B is important, especially
folate, to help stop you feeling the blues; this in foods such as
lentils, peas, and spinach.[2]
* Ensure that your intake of foods rich in tryptophan is increased
because this is the amino acid required to manufacture serotonin,
the neurotransmitter that helps you to feel good. Suitable foods
include bananas, poultry, dairy produce, and peas.[3]
* Keep up your intake of omega-3 fatty acids to help fight off the
blues, eating such foods as cold-water fish and flaxseed and
walnuts.[4]
* Avoid any foods that cause you to feel sluggish, such as highly
processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary foods. These can
worsen any blues because they cause you to feel lethargic and
often result in a crash after the initial energy burst. In
addition, be careful with aspartame as it can interfere with
serotonin functioning and leave you feeling moodier; if you notice
any reactions to it, avoid consuming it.[5]
* Keep in touch. Call friends or make new
ones. If you regularly attend club meetings, church, or other
activities, try not to interrupt your routine just for bad
weather. If transportation is a challenge for you, link up with
friends or helpful people who can give you a ride to and from your
usual activities.
Take part in winter activities. Enjoy skiing,
sledding, or ice skating. Visit someplace
nearby while the summer crowds are gone.
* If you're a beginner to snow sports, try learning in areas where
you won't be worried about more experienced people crowding you
out. Local parks and quiet cross country or downhill ski circuits
are ideal starting points to encourage you to get out and give new
winter sports a go.
* Remember that, without winter, no one would
appreciate and love the summer so much. People manage to draw a
lot of inspiration from winter, including spending more family
together and using this as a chance to increase skills that will
be useful when the weather warms up. Some people even choose to
use winter to celebrate important life events, such as getting
married in the snow. Whatever your take on winter, in contrast to
our ancestors for many previous centuries, our modern lifestyle
helps us to keep warm, travel safely, and continue life with a
good amount of comfort during winter seasons, all sound reasons
for finding something good about living through the coldest
months.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Remember that winter has its benefits. It may bring needed
precipitation to an area. Some plants require a certain amount of
cold to grow flowers or fruit the following year.
* Plan a mid-winter trip to get you away from the cold for a week or
two. This can lift your spirits dramatically and will make getting
through the rest of winter a breeze.
!! Warnings !!
* If you're suffering badly, you might have seasonal affective
disorder (SAD), which affects around half a million people in the
United States yearly.[6] Seek advice from your doctor to help you
overcome the winter blues.
* Avoid overdoing the alcohol and caffeine through winter. These can
cause you to feel tired, which in turn can lead you to feel
moodier about the elements and lead to exhaustion.
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Fight Winter Blues
* How to Stay Healthy During the Winter
* How to Avoid Getting the Flu in Winter
* How to Stay Warm During Winter Outdoor Activities
* How to Tie a Winter Scarf So It Doesn't Fall Apart
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
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