Let’s face it, moms. This winter has been brutal. Between the polar vortex, ice storms, and endless snow days, it’s enough to make you want to rip out your staticky hair.
With spring still weeks away and more snow in the forecast, am I the only one who wants to crawl in bed and just sleep until April? Wait – pretty sure that’s called hibernation.
I noticed a short time ago that my energy level had plummeted. It was seriously a struggle for me to want to get dressed and leave the house. I didn’t want to write; I didn’t want to exercise. I had to give myself a pep talk to get out and meet a girlfriend for coffee. That’s when I realized I needed to make some changes.
Many of us experience “winter blues,” which is a temporary, “Tell me again, why do we live in this climate?” kind of a thing. Beyond that though is seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which is absolutely no joke. Symptoms include loss of interest in favorite activities, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, changes in weight and/or appetite and overall feelings of helplessness or depression. *If you or someone you know might be suffering from depression, please seek help immediately!!* I kid around about a lot of topics, but this is not one of them. Seriously. Call your doctor or a mental health professional right now. Please!
If, on the other hand, you are simply looking for ways to shake that sluggish feeling or cabin fever and get through the rest of winter, I offer the following tips:
Lighten up
When it’s cold outside, my body craves comfort foods – rich pastas, creamy soups, lots of potatoes. My mouth is happy, but my waistline is not. Eating too many of these rich, carb-heavy meals not only makes you want to take a nap, it could also lead to weight gain – which will make it that much harder to get active and energized in spring. So remember to practice portion control. And if you pair your carbs with lean proteins, that will go a long way toward regulating blood sugar levels and mood/energy swings.
Brighten up
Many experts say that the reason we feel groggy and tired during the winter is the lack of sunlight, which causes our hormones and sleep patterns to get out of whack. Recommendations include sitting by a sunny window (especially in the morning), utilizing sunlamps or taking a daily vitamin D supplement. Ask your doctor if you have questions.
Get moving
Regular winter exercise is so hard to do. But it is so worth it. I started running again, and already I’m sleeping better and feeling more energized. You might have to bundle up, but getting outside in the fresh air is going to do wonders for your energy level and your mood. Take the dog for a brisk walk or simply shovel the driveway. There are a million outdoor, winter-only activities in our area that will make for lifelong family memories. You can go snowshoeing at Barkhausen, cross-country skiing at the Wildlife Sanctuary, or fat-tire snow biking at the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park. And of course there’s ice skating and snow tubing at Titletown. Short on time or cash? No worries – grab a sled and take the kids for a few runs down a sledding hill!
Make it count
We can’t do anything to speed up the warm weather, so I’m trying to make the most of these frosty days indoors by working on my novels in front of the fireplace. Maybe this weekend, you tackle that organization project in your basement, or repaint the walls that have been staring you in the face for years. It’s never too early to start “spring” cleaning, eliminating clutter and donating stuff your kids don’t use any more. But if even that sounds too daunting, maybe use this time to plan a mood-lifting getaway. Whether it’s to a nearby indoor waterpark or somewhere beachy and warm, now is a great time to start dreaming (and saving) for a fun spring break or weekend away. Even if it’s not until next winter – when you are once again looking to shed those winter blues.
What’s your favorite way to re-energize during these cold Wisconsin winters? Let me know in the comments!
