I am a vitamin D junkie. I love sunshine. It’s uplifting to my spirit. My mood changes dramatically for the worse when there are consecutive dark dreary days in the winter’s of St. Louis. Seasonal depression is real but I’m going to give you some simple ideas that you can do that will make those gray days a little brighter.

Plant an Indoor Garden:

My favorite season is spring because all of the plants wake up and I’m energized by the rebirth that occurs throughout my yard. Now I know that everyone doesn’t have a “green thumb” but there are some plants that almost anyone can grow. They are called succulents. You only have to water them once a week. You can buy them for a very small price at places like Home Depot or Walmart. Pick a bright location in your house where you can sit and read, watch tv, or do your favorite indoor activity and then surround yourself with several pots of succulents. I bet it will make you feel like you are experiencing a pretty spring day. For those of you who are more adventurous, growing a small herb garden in a window sill or in a western facing window is lots of fun. Mint, basil, rosemary, and oregano are common herbs that you can find at most Trader Joe’s in small pots. Water them a small amount, twice a week. Here’s a tip, it’s better to underwater than overwater your herb garden. After a couple of weeks, snip off a part of the herbs and use them in your favorite recipe or even better, your favorite cocktail. This is my number one activity that lifts my spirits on dreary days.

Exercise:

Getting my body moving really helps. For me, I need to do something that makes me sweat. This can be accomplished by walking quickly, jogging on a treadmill, walking up and down steps or a stair stepping machine, pedaling on a stationary bike or a Peloton if you are lucky enough to have one, or playing some sport that gets your heart beating quickly. I’m not a swimmer but swimming is a great stress reliever too. After I’m finished exercising I feel more content and less anxious about the weather.

Get Outside Any Chance You Get:

Unless you live above the Arctic Circle and with the advent of global warming, there will inevitably be some nice days in the wintertime. Don’t let those days go wasted! Get outside and go for a walk, hit golf balls, read a book in your back yard, just do something outside. It will make you feel much better.

Plan a Weekend Getaway Somewhere Sunny:

Now I know many of us don’t have the ability or the wherewithal to fly or drive to somewhere warm and sunny in the winter. I get it. Maybe when you are planning out your vacation days in the coming year instead of just planning a long summer vacation bank some of those days to plan a weekend getaway at the end of January or February. Those are the times that are the worst for me so I plan a weekend away during that time of year. It gets me get “over the hump” and I can see on the horizon that spring is not too far away!

What Are Your Secrets That You Do To Beat The Winter Blues?

I would love to know your thoughts on the subject and give me some ideas that I might be able to do in my life. Thanks!