It’s the time of year when we start feeling a little too cooped up, and possibly even a little gloomy. The holidays are over and there’s not as much getting out for fun, spending time with family, or eating scrumptious treats. Whether it’s due to the lack of sunlight or just because we’re stuck indoors most of the time, we all tend to feel a little bit of cabin fever during the winter months.
Here are five simple and healthy ways that you can combat those winter blues, and come out feeling a little better.
1. Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise raises your endorphin levels and other “happy hormones” that make you feel better. People who exercise just a few days a week tend to have more energy, feel better and are at less risk for things like heart disease. Just simple walking can do you a world of good.
2. Open the curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Even if it is constantly overcast and dreary outside, sunlight is still coming through the clouds. When taken in moderation, sunlight is a great source of energy for the body. Natural sunlight in moderation improves circulation in the body, naturally kills bacteria and viruses, raises your endorphin and serotonin levels, improves sleep cycles and just naturally raises your overall mood.
3. Add in some dark leafy greens to your diet. These vegetables are packed with nutrients and vitamins that are essential for a healthy cardiovascular system and for regulating inflammation. Dark leafy greens naturally improve your circulation which can help benefit your overall mood. Examples of dark leafy greens: kale, spinach, swiss chard and collard greens.
4. It’s time to rev up your immunity and mood with Vitamin C. A somber mood in the winter months actually leaves you more prone to illness. Make sure you are improving your immunity as well as your mood by getting your daily dose of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerhouse that not only kills bacteria and other toxins, but it also acts as a natural anti-depressant.
5. Get a good air-filtration unit for your home. Allergies and sickness can run rampant in a home, and good air quality can promote better overall health of the family. Toxins in your home air can actually worsen depression and anxiety. While purchasing a quality air purifier can be costly, the initial investment makes it worth it in the long-run.
What are you doing to promote health and mood this winter? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Photo courtesy of Harald Mühlhoff.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Whats really weird is I start craving orange juice around november thru feb then slack off thru spring and summer…..hmmmm maybe Im being told something LOL
Yes, just make sure you don’t take it along with your B vitamins (at the same time) as it counter acts it.
Leafy greens are tasty! You just have to know how to cook em up right!
I put kale in some homemade soup the other night and last night we had omelets with spinach, tomatoes and zucchini! Yum!
I hide them (pureed) in everything! Brownies, smoothies, spaghetti sauce, chili, etc etc. No one in my family knows!
spinach goes in our salads..even kids who dont like cooked spinach will like it raw.
Put loads of spinach in our smoothies. Kids never knew until they saw it one day. Delicious. Our fav is spinach, carrot, broc slaw, avacado, apple, frozen banana mango and berries with oj and coconut milk in the Vitamix.
Asian kale salad my family loves! Kale chips…and spinach in my protein smoothies!!!
We always have a big tub of fresh baby spinach in the fridge. My kids eat a handful with almost every meal, they love it. We use it instead of lettuce on sandwiches or burritos or just eat it as salad on the side.
kale chips, and spinach salad! we love all green in our house, even my 21 month old!
fresh veggie juice of kale, spinach, cucumber, celery and apple
I drink them in my Vitamix veggie smoothies. I try not to do much fruit so I do them in Bolthouse organic carrot juice (cheap @ Costco) and they are sweet with half the carbs/sugars of fruit juice. Or I may cut up a fresh lemon (just peel and throw in whole) and add water, ice, spinach, coconut oil, and a cup of plain Greek yogurt with liquid vanilla stevia. We call it The Incredible Hulk