Some people Never Have the Winter Blues!

Who are these people? They can’t all be singing Bobby McFerrin’s catchy but repetitive tune, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. But even if they aren’t singing, they are doing something differently.

You’ve likely experienced the winter blues – especially in February. You’ve also probably met someone who is cheerful throughout the winter. What are they doing differently? What’s their secret to staying positive?

Your state of mind is key.

You can benefit from knowing and applying ‘happy people’s’ methods. You can learn and then practice the steps to get you through the winter happily. Start by imagining that the short days will soon be over, it will soon be not as cold andValentine’s Day is not going to affect you at all.

Improve your state of mind.

Stay happy or happier this winter – use these methods:

Stay Active:
Your number one way to beat depression and the blues is to stay active. It’s easy to curl up and hibernate but this can, and often does, bring your mood down tremendously.

Get out and try some physical activity.
Is there a winter sport you would consider trying? What about investing in a piece of equipment such as a stationary bicycle? Not appealing? Then try some simpler solutions – climb the stairs at the office instead of taking the elevator or get off the bus early and walk the extra block. Physical activity helps because endorphins are released into your body. Endorphins make you feel better. They can prevent you from getting the winter blues. It doesn’t matter what kind of activity you do, just get moving if you want to feel better.

Accept Your Current Situation

Are you single? In a relationship but still feel alone? Winter can be challenging and sometimes the loneliness feels even greater. As soon as you start feeling down, you likely completely forget about the positives in your life.

Look at your situation from a different perspective.
Your current situation does have positives. Make a list of them. Put your list where you can see it daily. It will remind you of the positives in your life. For example, are you single? Dreading Valentine’s Day? Sure it can be a challenge if you are alone. But think of it this way, you’re free to do what you want when you want. You don’t have to compromise with a partner. You don’t have to buy over-priced flowers or break the bank on an expensive dinner out. People in relationships do, or feel they have to, even if it’s been a bad day at the office and they’re exhausted. You, on the other hand, don’t have to worry. You’re free from any expectations. From a different perspective, your situation is actually quite liberating and certainly less expensive.

Be Social
You’re not even good company for yourself if you have the winter blues. You may have a tendency to be more introverted and spend more time by yourself.

Give yourself a push to be social.
You have too much time to focus on the negative aspects of your life if all you do is go home every night. Get out. Join a club or a group, go for drinks. Call your friends. Call your relatives. Make plans for a once-a-week evening out. You may find your mood is quite uplifted. By interacting with people, your mind will be stimulated. You’ll feel much better at the end of an evening.

Being social feels awkward.
You may have to practice at being social. Feel like you have nothing to say? Write out a 30 second commercial on yourself, what you do, what you’re interested in. Practice so it’s conversational. Keep conversations going by asking what the other person does or ask about their interests. Create 5 questions you can ask someone when you meet them. Make sure the questions can’t just be answered by yes or no. Then if there’s a lull, you can get the conversation going again with a question. You may feel awkward at first, but before you know it your conversation skills will become more natural and engaging. Being social and sociable will be easy.

Banish the Blues by Being Good to Yourself!

Eat Healthy Food
Take good care of yourself. Evidence suggests that poor eating habits and lack of sleep are linked to the blues. Eat healthy foods. Find out if you need more Vitamin D. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to see if you need to be taking a supplement to give your body a boost. You get Vitamin D from sunlight. Too little sunlight, which is typical this time of the year, could be affecting you more than you think.

Get Enough Sleep
If you have an issue of getting to bed on time, try this: Make a commitment for 1 week to go to bed on time to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. See how you feel at the end of the week. You will probably notice you have a lot more energy, and your thoughts will be clearer.

Indulge Yourself
Chocolate, pajamas for the day, a home spa treatment? Indulge yourself. You need to spoil yourself from time to time. You need time to decompress and feel a bit pampered. Don’t go outside your budget but relax for the day – you deserve it. Make sure you hang up the ‘no guilt allowed’ sign in your brain.

Be Grateful
Think of two or three things you are grateful for. Don’t just say the words. Really think about what your life would be without them. Now say what you are grateful for again. Your words will be more heart-felt and you will feel grateful. When you’re feeling down it’s difficult to be grateful. When you remind yourself of all that you do have, it helps switch your thoughts from what isn’t working to what is and to what is worth embracing.

Be realistic
You can’t change all of your habits and thoughts overnight. Pick one or two areas where you feel you can make improvements and start to turn your winter blues around. As Bobby McFerrin sings in Don’t Worry, Be Happy:

In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double

Embrace your life, the winter, this month. Be kind to yourself – it will improve your state of mind and help to banish the blues.