Spanking the Winter Blahs
I put this newsletter up a little late, and I blame the sky for this, mostly. It has been a stark white for weeks. I don't even remember the last time I felt the sun on my face. I look down at the ground for some relief and see only piles and piles of dirty snow. Besides oversleeping and binge eating potatoes and chocolate, I've let a lot of important things slide. Nevertheless, I'm doing what I can to banish the winter blahs, and so can you.
For starters I've been listening to old-school summer music. "Cruel Summer" by Ace of Base is especially potent. Really early Madonna works, too. A few other ideas that fall into the "general mood lifter" category: *clean out a closet *rearrange the furniture *start some seedlings indoors *surround yourself with bright colors *hide out at the movies *have a regular schedule and stick to it—even on the weekends! *eat healthy foods including lots of summery vegetables.
Move ItExercise supposedly helps as well, but I wouldn't know because I still haven't gotten around to that. Experts recommend a brisk walk once a day—especially in the morning light—for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). And, since it is winter, you might also try sledding. All you need is some snow or ice (or just really slippery grass), a decent-sized hill, and a big piece of cardboard. Walking back up the hill each time should count for something, right?
Let There Be Light!Light box therapy works wonders for some people, although full spectrum lights are still fairly expensive. Studies suggest that about 80 percent of SAD sufferers respond within four days to treatments of at least a half-hour a day. Users sit about a foot away from the light boxes which radiate non-ultraviolet light. (I am currently experimenting with light box therapy, and I promise to keep you posted!)
Eyes on the PrizeHaving something to look forward to (besides spring, of course) is also extremely useful. Try taking a winter art class, offering to volunteer somewhere, or joining a book club. (What? You don't know of any good book clubs around? Time to start your own "Winter Blahs Book Club"—you can read summer-y titles all winter long!)
Cause for CelebrationMaybe you've had enough of the holidays already, but, for what it's worth, there is still cause for celebration. Were you aware, for instance, that January is National Bread Machine Baking Month? It is also National Radon Action Month, National Mail Order Gardening Month, and, perhaps most important, International Creativity Month.
Important January weekly observances include Bald Eagle Appreciation Days (January 18-19), Hunt For Happiness Week (January 19-25), National Creative Frugality Week (January 19-25), and National Handwriting Analysis Week (January 20-26.)
I sense a party coming on! Why not gather your favorite felines January 2nd to celebrate Happy Mew Year for Cats Day. (I promise you I did not make that up.) January 9th is National Apricot Day, the 19th is Penguin Awareness Day, the 21st is both National Hugging Day and Squirrel Appreciation Day. Yes! Freethinkers Day falls on the 29th, Inane Answering Message Day is the 30th, and Inspire Your Heart with Art Day rounds things out on the 31st.
Maybe you need more time to prepare for your festivities. No problem. February is Potato Lovers Month. The week of the 9th is officially International Flirting Week and, beginning conveniently on the 14th, National Condom Week follows.
On February 4th you can celebrate National Stuffed Mushroom Day or Dump Your Significant Jerk Day (or both!) February 12 is both Darwin Day and Lost Penny Day, the 15th offers us National "I Want Butterscotch" Day and National Sea Monkey Day.
Ah the possibilities. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling better already!
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