10 Cool Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
Keep Your Energy High and Mood Lifted
– By Nicole Nichols, Fitness Instructor & Health Educator
The cold and depressing winter is almost in full force again. And as the days get shorter and shorter the nights get colder, and even the best of us can get a little down.
What are the winter blues ? And what are the winter blues symptoms ? What is the treatment for winter blues ?
Lack of motivation, mild depression, and low energy level that many people experience during this cold season are some of the characteristics for the winter blues. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to both prevent the winter blues from coming on and get yourself back to normal if they’re already here. Summer and light is very important for people but it isn’t possible all year round in the north of Europe – unfortunately, so we have to find ways that beat the winter blues.
1. Exercise
As if we needed another reason to get fit! Exercise isn’t only for maintaining your weight and staying healthy. It’s great for relieving the stresses of the day to day life. And in addition, the effects of a good workout can last for several hours after you hit the showers. You’ll have more energy throughout the day, and your metabolism with stay elevated too. Walking on the beach, playing golf, mountain climbing – all kind of exercise helps your mind by releasing those “feel good chemicals” that improve your mood.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
When and what you eat has a great affect on your general mood and energy level. Avoid refined and processed foods (like rice,white breads and sugar). These foods are not only devoid of the nutrients your body craves, but they zap your energy levels and can affect your mood—causing depression, lack of concentration, and mood swings. Try to incorporate more complex carbohydrates (whole wheat breads, brown rice, veggies, fruit) and get your daily 8 cups of water. These healthy foods provide your body (and mind) with nutrients, and stabilize your blood sugar and your energy levels.
3. Get Some Sun in Tenerife,
The Canary Islands
Most people know that sunlight provides us with Vitamin D and you can much more Vitamin D by going on a winter holiday to The Canary Islands and stay at a nice hotel with comfort. It will help you through the cold winter. But did you know that it also improves your mood? Winter days are shorter and darker than other months in the year, and because of the cold weather, a lot of people spend less and less time outdoors. Lack of sunlight can cause many people to become depressed—without knowing why! Similar to exercise, sunlight exposure releases neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood. Try to spend a little more time outdoors – even during the cold winter month. Keep your shades up during the day to let more light in. It is also important to sit near windows in restaurants and during class. Try changing the light bulbs in your house to “full spectrum” bulbs. These mimic natural light and actually have the same affects on your mind as the real thing. Many couples or partners go to the hotel Ritz Resorts in Tenerife for couples therapy – it helps with some time in the sun and with time for each other without any kind of day to day stress.
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4. Relax – go on a romantic weekend Break!
You’re always busy! Children, class, work, family, friends, appointments, business and private meetings—even if you enjoy being busy, everyone needs some time off. Don’t be afraid to say “No” to extra opportunities (covering a shift for a co-worker, bringing food to your son’s class party). 
Try to spend a few minutes each day doing nothing – it will do you good! Read a interesting book or a family magazine, sleep in on the weekend, invite the person you love on a relaxing weekend Break to Denmark or a long weekend trip to France, go to bed early, try some meditations, or take a yoga class. Relaxation, especially in the form of yoga, can alleviate stress and leave you with a calm energy. Mental exercises like meditation and positive thinking can help keep depression at bay.
5. Act on your Resolutions
A recent study from the CDC showed a strong link between healthy behaviors and depression. Women who exhibited healthy behaviors (like exercising, not smoking, etc.) had less sad and depressed days than those whose behaviors were less than healthy. Although researchers studied women, the results are likely similar in men.
6. Avoid Binge Drinking
Staying in with a a nice glass of wine or a cold beer may seem like the only thing to do in the winter months, and many both men and women who feel down also tend to turn to alcohol when they’re feeling down. But alcohol is actually a depressant, and rather than improving your mood, it only makes it worse. Avoiding alcohol when you are already depressed is a good idea. Moderate drinking is fine for most people, but binge drinking (defined as having 5 or more drinks in one sitting) is never a healthy choice. The morning after will have you feeling sick, depressed, and even more tired, which will affect many aspects of your life. This will make your low energy and bad mood even worse.
7. Treat Yourself and the one you love
Having something to look forward to can keep anyone motivated. The cold and wet winter month seems endless! But if you plan something exciting in the weekends, your mood improves when you’re anticipating it and when the event actually comes. Plan something that’s exciting to you—a weekend trip for two or a short weekend Break to France for the whole Family, a wellness weekend for two, a day at the spa, a party (but keep #5 above in mind), or special event like a play, girls (or guys) night out, or sporting event.
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8. Embrace the Season
Instead of always avoiding the cold and the snow—look for the best that it has to offer! Take up a winter sport like ice skating, snowboarding,hockey, or even sledding! Enjoy these opportunities while they last—after all, they’re only here a few months per year. Staying active will boost your energy. Seeing winter in a positive light, with all the fun activities that it has to offer, will keep your spirits high.
9. Get Social Support
Don’t underestimate the power of friends, family, mentors, co-workers, and Neighbours. Who can you turn to when you’re down and need a pick-me-up? Keep a mental list of these special people and don’t be afraid to ask for help or encouragement when you need it. Something as simple as a phone call, a relaxing night out with a gourmet dinner, a chat over coffee, or a nice email or letter can brighten your mood.
10. Catch some Zzzz’s
People naturally want to sleep a little bit more during the winter. But with all we have going on, sometimes sleep is the first thing to go. With a little time management, and some self-discipline, you can meet your shut-eye needs. Aim for 7-8 hours each night, and try to keep your bedtime and waking time consistent. That way, your sleeping patterns can normalize and you’ll have more energy. Try not to oversleep—those 12-hour snoozes on the weekend can actually make you MORE tired. Don’t forget naps – they are very important too! A short (10-30 minute) afternoon nap may be all you need to re-energize midday.
Tenerife, The Canary Islands beats the winter blues and winter seasonal depression. In the cold part of Europe you will often get the winter blues symptoms. Symptoms of winter depression winter blues you will find in UK, Iceland, Schweiz, Germany, Sweden, England, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, France, Finland and other European countries. No winter blues - Tackle the winter depression with vitamin d and a holiday to Tenerife, Spain. Avoid the winter depression lights.
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