Beating the Winter Blues

It's not just the blues, it's the winter blues. It is a fact that many people suffer from some form of winter blues and are often more depressed during the winter than any other season. Here are the main reasons why people suffer from the winter blues and some helpful tips to combat the winter blues.

1. Except for the southern states, in the winter there is just not enough sunlight outside. Sunlight does provide the body with essential vitamins that are mood enhancing. One way to combat this effect is to use moderation and get some sun therapy at a tanning bed. The artificial sunlight will help enhance your mood by increasing the body's capability of utilizing and producing vitamin D.

2. Cold weather keeps people indoors for the most part. Being in doors can create a sense of suffocation and increased amounts of boredom. One way to overcome this is to take a walk outside. Bundle up in a coat, gloves and hat. Even if you just walk a few blocks outside it will help get the circulation going and give you a chance to see the beautiful winter landscape.

3. During the winter most people develop a sense of lethargy- being tired all of the time. They tend to sleep during the day and then wake up feeling even more tired than before. One way to overcome this feeling of lethargy is simply to fight it by doing some aerobic exercise. Buy a gym membership in the winter. Some facilities will allow you to purchase on a month to month basis without a contract. This will keep you active and healthy during the long winter months and then you can resume normal activities outside during spring and summer.

4. Many people suffer from an increased sense of loneliness because they are trapped for long periods of time indoors. Being alone can play harsh mental games on a person. It can become so severe that a person might begin to feel that they are all alone. The best way to overcome the feeling of being alone is to get out and join a class or league, whether it is an indoor sports league or a dance class. You might even be able to take some spinning classes at the gym. This will help a person to feel a sense of belonging and also will allow for some much needed personal interaction with real live human beings.

It is important to keep your head up during the winter. The spring is coming. Keep your self healthy and active if at all possible and surround yourself with positive, energetic people. This will help counteract a negative outlook and will help to keep you in a better state of mind.