I am not a fan of winter. I really don't do well here in Michigan in the Winter. It is the darkest place I have ever lived. In fact all the seasons are dark in comparison to other places I have lived in the USA.
I notice that I am not alone. Winter causes the blues for many people. So I am reaching out and asking you...
"when you are feeling blue, what do you do to feel better".
Please share your ideas.
The easiest thing for me is to surf blogs (especially those of folks who live somewhere else.) Most blogs contain a list of blogs the author enjoys so you can chase links forever and never run out of new things to see and read.
ReplyDeleteHarder to do but probably more helpful is to exercise. It really does pay dividends after a few times; it's tough overcoming that inertia and the initial soreness but it's worth it. Amazing how wearing yourself out can give you more energy!
I find it easier not to fight the darkness, meaning I succumb and go to bed quite early if I'm feeling very tired, which in turn causes me to wake early. Obviously still dark but go ahead, turn on a bunch of lights. Have a lamp next to the place you tend to start your day and get one of those true-light bulbs in the highest wattage your lamp can take. Pull it up quite close to you so you get the full benefit. Tackle any particularly challenging tasks as soon as you feel completely awake and then keep a list of everything you accomplish throughout the day, even things that seem trivial. Having that list will be a visible reminder that you aren't totally nonproductive and helps defend against the inner critic.
Going to botanic or public gardens that have glass garden conservatories can be a major boon, seeing all the green and growing things and the basking in the warm, moist climate inside. I can recommend Dow Gardens in Midland and Meijer Gardens near Grand Rapids. The latter often has their conservatory filled with live butterflies in the spring. Some zoos also have artificial-climate buildings for animals and, since there's hardly anyone there in the winter, you'll have all those paved paths to walk without obstruction.