The Winter Blues

Grey skies and dark afternoons have a tendency to affect our behaviour and mood. Known under a wide variety of names and guises, the winter blues can play havoc with our bodies and minds.

Heading off to work in the early hours of the morning while the sky is dark and coming home in the dark can make an individual feel lethargic about work and life in general. This can also be made worse when the weather itself is cold and wet.

The colourful streets tend to blend into a general greyness and it can be quite unsettling for many people. We tend to cease or modify our extracurricular activities in the winter months and we often lead more of an uninspiring life foregoing the business of our social calendars from the summer months. It isimportant that we try and create a level of motivation to just “get on with it” and still try to involve some form of exercise and socialising into our lives.

Our diets also have a tendency to change and the good habits we created when the weather was warm leaves us craving for heartier meals to warm us up often leading to an unexpected or unwanted weight gain which can also affect our overall mood. The blues can affect hundreds of unsuspecting individuals and with our tendencies to hibernate indoors in the cooler months, it can lead to an even larger onset of depression. Knowing that you may be susceptible to it is one thing but doing something about it is quite another.

Winter is a great time to focus on yourself. Use the quieter social calendar to schedule some “me time” and do something special for yourself. Whether it means booking a facial or a hair appointment, going to see a movie or a theatre performance, taking in some retail therapy or starting a new dance class or hobby – now is the time. Throw a dinner party or invite some friends over for a few drinks. This can provide a welcome boost and will often pep up others who may need it just as much as you. If you are feeling frustrated and down about life– chances are that someone else you know is feeling it too.

By doing a little something for someone or with someone may be all you both need to help you through the winter months and to keep those blues at bay.

Further Information:  For a great little gift try 52 Relaxing Rituals.  It will give you inspirational ideas which can help you calm down, relax and unwind from the daily pressures of life.

Comments

[Elena Perrotta]

These grey days are a perfect opportunity to take 'time out' and do some of those little enjoyable things that never seem to get around to doing - and doing them in a relaxed way.

[Michelle Sweeney]

Too true - Christmas will be here before we know it.

[Ingrid Cliff]

I agree Michelle - in winter we need to work with our seasonal energy rather than fight against it.

Relax, get ready for the coming pre-Christmas onslaught and listen to your body's wisdom.