by Cassandra Gilmore

Created on: January 22, 2009

Wintertime blues symptoms can range in severity from increased appetite to strong feelings of suicide. In between, you may experience weight gain, an overwhelming urge to sleep until 6 PM, or the urge to start drinking at noon. It really depends on your geographical location. Here in the Northwest, where it has been gray and drizzly for seemingly 18 months straight, it can be a full time battle. Here are some tips to help you overcome the winter time blues.

Fake It Til' You Make It.

Getting a tanning package at a local salon serves two purposes. The most obvious is the ersatz sunrays will have your little body manufacturing that much needed Vitamin D in no time. The second purpose is that it gets you out of the house! Going to work doesn't count, because most of us hate having to get up and go there in the winter anyway.

Going to the tanning salon always feels like a special treat and it will make you happy. Choose a lay down bed so you can relax and unwind under the soothing rays.

Run, Forest, Run!

Running is an excellent way to get the heart pumping and the endorphins flowing. Oh, you hate running? Try another cardio activity such as the elliptical trainer or the stationary bike. Oh, you don't have those things? JOIN A GYM!

Can't afford to? Okay, I can relate. However, exercise is going to be your biggest weapon against depression.
Utilize the OnDemand option and try Exercise TV. There are a bazillion great workouts from Tai Chi to Belly Dance. Don't have OnDemand? Use FitTV instead. Just stretch during the commercials.

Stormy Weather.

Instead of hiding indoors with a movie and an overflowing snack bowl on weekends, go outside! Unless there are white out conditions or you are in danger of being swept into the ocean, it's okay. You just need to be bundled up or have good rain gear. You can still reap the benefits of fresh air, even if it's cold.

Visualize Spring

Wintertime is a soft, slow time after the holiday madness is done. Nature is resting to prepare for the new growth of spring. You should too! Use this time to meditate, make life lists, set new goals, and reflect on the direction of your life.

Sleepy Time

Wintertime is the hardest time to wake up since most of us have to be out the door and on the road before the sun even rises. So, go ahead and indulge in the urge to get extra sleep by going to bed earlier!
Staying up late during the summer is great, but in the wintertime the only thing you're missing is TV, internet, or eating extra calories.

NAP DAY!

Another way to get extra sleep is to schedule a "Nap Day". Just take a Saturday or Sunday and stay in bed all day! That's what wintertime is for, so enjoy some downtime. Have the kids stay in PJ's, rent the entire seasons of whatever show you missed, and eat breakfast for dinner. Just don't make it a lifestyle.

Warning: If you are having trouble getting out of bed for days at a time, you are experiencing depression. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss other treatment options. Unfortunately, humans are not designed to hibernate.

Wintertime blues is a normal every year occurrence for those of us in the Northeast and Northwest. Try to find what works for you and stick with it.
Spring is just around the corner!

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