|
Craving sunshine? Some color in that world outside? Warmer air to be able to get out and enjoy it? Spring is on the way! In the meantime, here are some things you can do today to bring that smile back to your face.
1. Keep yourself busy: Don't look at it as being "stuck inside". Get excited about the opportunity to work on some craft projects or chip away at things around the house that you normally don't have time to get to. Scrapbooking, organizing your home office area, updating your planner, and freshening up bedrooms are all good ways to keep your hands busy and your brain active!
2. Get enough sleep: Lower activity levels during the winter months can leave you feeling sluggish. If you're not getting enough sleep on top of that, your body has to work that much harder to function the way it should. Pay attention to keeping a good sleep routine...get at least 6 hours every night (8 would be better) and try to go to bed and wake up at the same times. Consistency is key to keeping your body rhythm on track.
3. Eat well: Again, consistency is key here. Food is your fuel. Give your body and brain a healthy, steady supply throughout the day so that all systems can stay on a strong, even level. For many of us, eating five or six smaller, healthy meals throughout the day is more effective in providing increased energy. (Breakfast, mid-morning snack, Lunch, mid-afternoon snack, Dinner, mid-evening snack). Watch portions!
4. Drink water: Don't just carry a water bottle around and sip from it throughout the day. Drink the water. Mild dehydration is common and dehydration can cause fatigue, aches and pains including headache, and muscle cramps.
5. Take your vitamins: Look for an uncoated variety which will dissolve better in your system. You should take one every day. Especially in the winter, to combat winter blues, pay attention to the amount of Vitamin D and a B complex vitamin. Both can help to regulate your mood.
6. Move: Physical activity has been shown to be just as effective as any pill in lifting your spirits. Walking, lifting light weights, even dancing work very quickly to send a signal to the brain to release feel-good endorphins.
This is the time of year when the blues begin. The days are shorter, It gets darker earlier. It's colder. All of this can come together to make you feel pretty down.
For some people, these changes cause more serious mental issues, like Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This is a form of depress that can be debilitating. Some research shows SAD affects as many as 20% of people in the United States.
Talk to your doctor if you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms in an intense way, that doesn't go away after a couple of weeks:
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Loss of energy
- Social withdrawal
- Oversleeping
- Loss of interest in activities
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Difficulty concentrating and processing information
There are some all-natural products to help with the symptoms of SAD, click here to find out more.
We are happy to announce our new partnership with Dr. Bridget Chufo and Healthy Performance! Dr. Chufo is an experienced health and wellness professional who has helped many, many people lose weight and acheive healthier lifestyles through her nutritional supplements and balanced eating plans. Check back often for advice and special offers from Dr. Chufo.
Find out more about Dr. Bridget Chufo
Find out more about Healthy Performance! Click here
Search a variety of interesting healthy news topics!
> Click here |
