The usual:
1. Exercise as often as you can, movement is healthy and good for you.
2. Eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water.
3. Get enough sleep, but not too much.
4. Stretch often and be kind and loving to yourself.
5. Avoid sugar and caffeine, and processed foods as much as possible and any other "triggers that may aggravate your delicate mental state during this treacherous time.
Starting with a good, solid, healthy foundation is uber important to fight off the seasonal depression many of us living in cold, dark climates face.
Now the additional tools:
1. Do something that you love, that brings you joy every day, if only for just five minutes.
2. Be grateful- anytime you feel yourself sliding down into the darkness, just think of things you are grateful for. This is a really powerful way to control you state of mind and your mood. When we are grateful there isn't room for any kind of negative thought. For example, when you are grateful you cannot be angry. When you are grateful you cannot be sad. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that overrides those negative ones.
3. Make time for yourself, to nurture, love and appreciate you. Take a short walk, an extra five minutes in the shower, wrap up in a warm blanket and drink a soothing beverage, spend a few minutes reading a book. Watch a funny show. Anything that gives you peace or uplifts your spirits.
4. Avoid negative influences whatever they be, whether it be friends, co-workers, family members. Don't let them kill your buzz, because you are working really hard to control and manage your state of mind right now. If those around you are bringing you down, avoid them. Avoid violent, disturbing, sad images, music and movies, which lead us to number 5.
5. Listen to music that brightens your mood and uplifts you. Music is a very powerful tool in controlling your state of mind. If you start feeling down, losing your motivation and getting depressed, put on your favorite song.
6. Dance- whether you are good at it or not, dancing is good for the body and the soul and it is great way to release negative energy and replace it with positive energy. Any kind of dance will work, even just wiggling around wildy to your favorite song on your ipod. Doesn't matter. The movement is good for you- and your mood.
7. Get tools that can help you- surround yourself with bright colors, such as the new comforter I purchased that is bright orange, pink, green, blue and pink. Just looking at it brightens my day and makes me happy. Get some indoor plants, being around green living things can be very soothing during those long winter months. If you have pets spend lots of time loving them and enjoying them. If you don't have a pet consider getting one. Studies show pets lower blood pressure and have a soothing effect on people who love them. Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Read good books, watch funny, entertaining uplifting movies that leave you feeling good after watching them. Get a light box (or make one) to help substitute that sunlight we are missing during the winter season.
8. Focus on the positive around you all the time, and in all things. "Happy Thoughts" and positive affirmations WORK!
9. Do nice things for other people. When you're feeling down is a great time to reach outside yourself and do something nice for someone else. Bake cookies for a friend or neighbor. Participate in a service project. Volunteer at the local homeless shelter. When we are feeling down, others may be as well. By reaching out and giving to others not only can we help brighten their day and show them love- but it brightens our day too. A win/win, and who doesn't like a win/win???
10. Be patient, kind and forgiving with yourself if you slip on the path and find yourself in the dark from time to time.
AND most importantly- never be afraid to ask for or get help if you find you just can't get out of the dark. Call a Dr. and get on medication to get you through if you need it. Call a friend, family, or clergy member. Don't be ashamed to ask for help when/if you need it.
No matter how you may feel, ALWAYS remember you are never alone and like a good friend of mine once said to me "After the darkest nights, always come brighter days".
In a few months the snow will melt, and the flowers will start to pop out of the semi-frozen ground, the birds will start to sing, and it will be spring again!You will be able to pat yourself on the back because you made it through another winter! You can do this! I can do this!
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