Overcoming winter doldrums

This is the time of year that people begin to wish they were someplace else, preferably warm and on a beach with a tropical breeze in the air. While I look forward to shedding the extra layers and having the windows open in my house, I also work on enjoying where I am at here and now.
Being present and appreciative of what you have can help ease the discomfort of long winter nights. I think that the winter blahs have been more intense this year due to the extra amount of snow most of the the midwest , mid atlantic, and east coast regions have been pounded by. Even so, there are things that help stave off the depression that sets in at this time of year.
1. Stay active! Keep moving and not just from the fridge to the couch. The more you move the better you will feel.
2. Get outside. Yes I know it is cold out there, but being outside is very therapeutic. You’ll be amazed at how many people are actually out there with you!
3. Maintain sleep hygiene. The older I get the more important this is for me. Relying on caffiene to wake up will not only help dehydrate you, it will also throw your natural rhythms off.
4. Make a plan and stick to it. New year’s resolutions don’t work because people pick an arbitrary day to change behavior with no real plan. Slow but sure is the key. Have realistic goals to stay active and it will pay off in the long run.
5. Enjoy the longer days. Sunlight is very powerful. Get out there and soak up the positive energy it provides!