How to combat winter blues

It is hard to believe, but it's that time of the year again. The fall is almost over, and the long dark cold winter is near. Seems like the spring is so far away. Each day is getting shorter and darker, and you find yourself drawn to that couch in front of the TV, where you spend hours each night, unable to get to all of those things on your list, that you were heroically planning to accomplish in the winter time.

It is easy to fall victim to the laws of nature, and blame it for your lack of motivation. 'May be, if I can hybernate my way through the winter months, the spring will eventually come and I will feel better once again, and then I will start the spring cleaning, and painting the walls, and organizing the closets', you tell yourself. True, winter is the most challenging time (at least for most of us in the upper northern hemisphere), but it doesn't have to be the lost time between fall and spring.
 
Let's begin with our bodies. In the cold months we wear more clothes, tend to get more hungry, almost certainly gain more weight, thinking we still have plenty of time before trying on the new swimsuits. However, the more we eat, the more we want to eat, and the more tired and less energetic we feel. Instead of thinking that the memorial weekend is ages away, why not shift your focus to Christmas and New Years parties approaching? That will help keep your daily craving attacks in check. Try to keep up with your summer diet - choose fruits, vegetables and protein over deserts and starches, and keep your energy high to keep you going through the day.

It is essential to keep yourself active. Limit your screen time in front of the computer and TV. Do go outside for a walk with a carriage, or take your kids for a stroll in the park. Don't worry about freezing them, dress them warm, and they will reap benefits of fresh air. Did you know that researchers say the indoor air is 50 times more polluted than outside? That definitely doesn't help your body in the winter. So make sure you get your daily doze of oxygen! And how about, instead of a weekly trip to the mall on the weekends, taking your kids to the nearby skiing mountain (plenty within a couple hours drive from Boston) or at least to the nearby hill for sledding! Or try another latest trend, growing in popularity - outdoor ice skating. Towns, like Salem, are following Boston with it's popular Frog Pond and installing new skating rinks in city parks.

After spending time outside you will feel better physically and emotionally from quality time with your children. When you get back home, use that energy to prepare a delicious and healthy meal for your family (you will loose more calories by cooking yourself, and home cooked meals are usually smaller and healthier than take out or restaurant food). After a satisfying family dinner why not play games with your children or grab that book you have been long waiting to read for them?

At the end of the day everyone will sleep better and will feel more renewed and energized in the morning, ready to conquer the day!