It’s grey here in Illinois as I write this morning. In fact, it’s grey and chilly for about six months every year and we are at the beginning of the greyness again.
I love Spring. I love Summer.
I’m okay with Fall.
I really, really don’t like Winter.
I think there’s a small chance that I have a tiny dose of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I don’t know for sure and I’ve never been diagnosed, but the lack of sunshine and the need to be indoors so much more brings along with it a dip in my mood. So as I look down the barrel of another half a year of inside-ness and clouds and darkness and cold, I am choosing to make a few choices to help combat that a bit.
- Sleep. I love sleep. I am way less irritable when I have gotten enough sleep. So, especially in the winter, I make sure that I’m getting enough, even if that means I take a daily nap. (By the way, my son heard of a study that said twenty-six minutes is the ideal nap length, and I’m not kidding…ever since he told me that, my naps, even without an alarm, last just about twenty-six minutes. And it’s true.)
- Music. Every morning when I’m making my tea and filling up the dog bowls, I hit play on a worship cd. But for the winter months, I listen to a more upbeat set of worship songs or even Christmas tunes once I’m ready to get those going (not til post-Thanksgiving, don’t worry). There’s just something about music running as background noise in my home every morning that lifts my spirits.
- Water. Several months ago I started drinking more water each day, but I just read that starting your morning by downing a glass of water kicks your metabolism in the rear after your body’s hard work through the night. So that’s my new commitment for these darker months.
- Supplements. I’m obviously not a doctor, but I have done my fair share of reading up on this topic. Even though I’m not clinically depressed, I add a teaspoon of St. John’s Wort to my tea every morning, and I take Vitamin D3 for mood, and for energy, Vitamin B12 gummies (gummies because of my freakishly small esophagus). Also, one of my best friends now partners with ItWorks! and I love their Greens powder added to my morning smoothie.
- Connecting. I am an introvert through and through. I am a homebody. If it were up to me in the winter, I’d probably never leave my house. So I have to be intentional about not isolating, about getting together with my girls.
So, if you find yourself in a bit of a slump during Fall and Winter, even if your circumstances haven’t changed dramatically, you might want to consider seeing your doctor or a counselor (don’t just listen to some random blogger), or making some simple changes to your routine and for your health.
Be well today, sweet ones!
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. –III John 1:2