What are you doing to beat the Jan/winter blues?

[Anonymous]

I have 'em bad this year. No money for a vacation. Ideas welcome!!

[Anonymous]

Drinking heavily usually works for me. j/k

Can you do a mini-spa weekend? Just get a few things done on a Saturday and Sunday at a local spa? Doesn't have to be a formal package. Just pick a la carte and schedule them back to back.

A movie marathon weekend in the theatres....

New exercise routines usually help me out of the doldrums, too.

[Anonymous]

Started running again after a long hiatus.

[Anonymous]

shopping on-line and planning large home improvement project

[zumbamama]

I'm working on a painting, pre-spring cleaning the closets, with hopes to ebay out-grown clothes taking up space in the closets, preparing for a yoga and belly workout certification. And trying to choreograph something to Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack.

But I am looking forward to the snow this week, I want a snow day to do all these things!

[Anonymous]

I started exercising, which helps a ton (endorphins, plus I think it affects serotonin too).

At my last physical my bloodwork showed I was Vitamin D deficient, despite taking a multi-vitamin most days (???), and so I started taking stand-alone vitamin D everyday. *huge* difference in my mood. Now, I would've begun supplementing anyway for bone health, etc., but I did a little research and what do you know, inadequate vitamin D can be related to depression.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20040803/vitamin-d-ease-depression

Seriously, this little bottle of vitamin D tablets from CVS has totally turned my mood around. Thank you, Qwest Laboratories.

[Anonymous]

I was going to say "drinking heavily" but another poster beat me to it.

I've definitely got the winter blues; mine are compounded with mild baby blues and the inevitable annual temporary disappearance of my social life. (in my circle, people hibernate a bit around this time every year.) I'm mostly dealing with it by wishing for spring.

Other than that... I'm a runner and I just bought a year's worth of new running and cross-training shoes. I also bought a new pair of running shorts and some cool pants to throw on over them for the trip to the gym. I'm also reading a lot of fiction - escaping into other people's (fictional) lives to temporarily forget about my own.

[Anonymous]

I was gonna say drink more, but two posters beat me to it... and I'm not kidding! A glass of red wine every evening at sunset.

But Vitamin D sounds less maladaptive. I'll try that.

I am so frantic for warmer weather. It takes us 30 minutes to get out the damn door. And once kiddo is all bundled up, OF COURSE it's potty time. Spring. Cannot. Come. Fast. Enough.

[zumbamama]

I third the glass of red wine! It makes my toes tingle and makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I will also try the Vitamin D!

[Anonymous]

I'm going to try to Vitamin D too. I've already done the red wine and think I need something else as the extra pounds are not improving my mood. Of course, that is from lack of exercise (I HATE the cold and can't stand to run in 30 degree weather) and comfort food.

I don't want to spend the $$$ on a gym membership right now, so any ideas for good indoor exercise?

[Anonymous]

i just spent a weekend in a warm sunny place. flights are relatively cheap. do a weekend getaway.

[Anonymous]

I am taking vitamin d too and see a huge difference! I think everyone should take a D supplement in the winter-- I am a convert.

I am also finding a few other things helping:

Getting rid of extra stuff in the house/spring cleaning
downloading uplifting music and actually playing it
planning a few fun nights/days (movies, drinks with a friend, etc. ) nothing to pricey. Husband or sitters can pinch hit
a self tanner for face and body to add a bit of glow during the no sun time
trying to exercise a bit more
thinking about and planning some spring/summer activities
making great smoothies at home, eating fresh fruit, especially berries
keeping a gratitude journal (iphone application)