Winter Blues
by Melissa King
October 28, 2005

Many of us do not look forward to winter because we know that we get down.  Some of us suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or some derivative of it.

Winter isn't quite here yet, and there are a few suggestions I have to help prepare you for making it an enjoyable season or at least a little less bleak.

Refocus Your Thinking: Negative to Positive

First.  It's important to refocus your thinking.  It's easy to fill your mind with all the things you are not looking forward to.  So I want you to come up with a list of things you like about winter or wintertime.  It can be anything from the first snowfall, to fireplaces, to big fluffy sweaters.  I want you to list everything you can think of.  Come up with at least 10 things.

Here's a sample from my list:

• Fun indoor get-togethers and parties
• Saxophonists on the street corners
• Strings of white lights
• Snowfall
• Great Colorful Hats and Scarves
• Hot tea in local cafe's with big windows

Add Feel Good Colors

Second. It's good to add some color to your life.  One of my favorite things about fall and winter is bringing out my brightest and most colorful clothes.  Greens, reds, yellows.  What colors make you feel good?  What colors make you smile?  When I wear my bright green hoodie and a long sleeve red shirt, I feel much better than if I wear a frumpy old brown sweater.  My mood is instantly very different.  So wear clothes that make you feel good and steer clear away from clothes that make you feel bad about your body!

Start A Health and Fitness Challenge

Third, I think of winter as a great time to be healthy. Since the beginning months of the year are the toughest for me, I began a tradition of physical fitness a few years back.  Every year I come up with a challenge for myself.  I know that once January hits the last thing I want to do is go outside, but I know that this is a recipe for disaster emotionally. 

I need to get out.  So I think of the things I want to stay involved in physically throughout the winter season.  I assign a number of points to each thing and then challenge myself to reach a specific total of points by spring.

For instance, for every mile I walk I may get a point. For every dance class I take I get 5 points.  There are points for when I take the stairs, do crunches, push-ups, or go dancing etc.  I do things that make me feel like I'm staying fit and things that raise my serotonin levels.  (Serotonin is a hormone that improves the feeling of
well-being and exercise is known to boost it) I think this is very important since many people see winter as an excuse to eat poorly and be physically inactive.  But
that type of lifestyle just contributes to feelings of depression.

Cook Warming Meals

Fourth: Cook some good meals for yourself.  Come out to one of my cooking classes if you don't feel confident in the kitchen or are unsure what to make.  We cook in a
real NYC kitchen, so most of what we make in my classes you can easily do again at home.

Get Your Lists Together Today!

So.  Get your lists together.  Figure out what will make you feel good this winter and choose to focus your mind and energy there.  Get a friend and come up with a health
and fitness challenge that will keep you going in the toughest months.

If you want deeper and more committed support, this is a great time to come in for a counseling session.  I am experienced in creating solutions for unique circumstances!

As always!  I love to hear from you...so let me know what you are thinking of the newsletters and let me know what goals you set for yourself this winter.

xoxo