Although we only had one episode of heavy snow fall here in Chicago, the winter  season is definitely taking a toll on me. Now that the rush of holiday festivities are over with, things have settled back to a more lethargic pace. Over the past few days, I've been feeling inordinately morose, bored and disinterested in regular activities. I found myself feeling more sleepy, irritable and feeling cooped up. I've logged in a lot of hours watching TV while snacking on sweets and high-carbs snacks. As optimistic as I was when I made my list of goals and plans for the new year, I'm beginning to doubt my ability to carry out most of them, especially goal # 5. At the rate I'm going, it will take a couple of years before I would even come close to reaching that goal. Uh-oh! The "winter blues" are back!

Mix the bleak whiteness and frigid temperatures with the ending of holiday-induced excitement and day after day of no outdoor activity, and it's enough to cause anyone to feel a little down in the dumps.  After 13 winter seasons, this is not an unfamiliar territory to me anymore. Having lived most of my life in a tropical climate probably made me even more prone to these symptoms. For those who are experiencing their first winter, it might come as a bit of a peculiar and unfamiliar state of being. What exactly are the winter blues?   According to my googling effort, it's a term used for a group of physical and emotional symptoms that are induced by being cooped up indoors for long periods and getting too little activity and sunshine. It's also nicknamed "February blahs", "Holiday depression", or doldrums. Simply existing in a season with so many dark, cloudy days -- this is particularly true in certain U.S. regions like the Midwest, the Northwest and the Northeast -- is enough to bring down a person's mood from a purely emotional perspective, but there are very real, physical reasons.

Here are some of the symptoms of winter blues:

Bored and restless Irritable or tense Craving sweets and eating more than normal Feeling cooped up Lethargic Sad or down

Fatigued or feeling "stir-crazy" Sleeping more than normal Grumpy Moody Losing interest in sex Having trouble concentrating

Unfortunately for some, the effects of the cold season can be more severe. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression with symptoms that can range from mild to severe depending on an individual. I have a friend whose symptoms were so distressing to her that she decided to become a traveling nurse so whenever winter comes along, she takes assignments at warmer and sunnier states. Another spends half of the year during the summer months in Chicago but lives in Florida during the winter months. Some people just simply moved to places where it's warm and sunny all year round. 

 Not all of us have that option so what can we do to combat the winter blues? I guess it can be as surprisingly simple as being outside and being active. Think of fun activities which your family and friends can do together. Bundle up and try one of those cold-weather sports like snowboarding, downhill skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Unfortunately for me, my previous attempts at participating at some of those activities posed a health hazard. Easy activities such as taking a walk around the block , playing tag with my dogs and window shopping at the malls might suffice for now.

Get some sun.  The fact that the winter blues occur when the days begin to darken and sunlight is scarce is not a coincidence. Sunlight is crucial to human health, and when we don't get enough exposure to it, our moods and physical health will suffer. More specifically, our serotonin levels (the hormone associated with elevating our mood) rise when we're exposed to bright light.  You may have experienced this "high" feeling after spending some time on a sunny beach, for example. So in the wintertime, if we can take a trip to a sunny location and spend some time in the sun, our mood is likely to improve immediately. It is for this reason that Kenny and I made tentative plans to head out somewhere for some sun-worshiping. I hope we can it make it happen soon.

Exercise  is widely known as a natural mood booster. Simply getting out for a brisk walk or heading to the gym for 30-minute workout can do wonders for your mood, and your body will benefit too. Don't feel that you have to stick with a certain routine if you're someone who gets bored easily. Exercise works best when it's something you look forward to, so choose something that fits your personality and fitness level. On less chilly days, I've been taking my dogs out for their walks. Kenny and I also went to a yoga class together, something we haven't done for sometime. How I wish we can go dancing at our favorite dance club, Neo. Alas! Between my achy back and his hurting knees, it's the one activity that we have to give up for now.

Resist comfort food cravings. As the weather turns colder you may mentally feel like you're getting ready to "hibernate" for the winter, and as such start to crave "comfort" foods. Unfortunately, traditional comfort foods tend to be less than ideal from a nutritional standpoint (you know those cookies aren't healthy!). Stock your pantry with healthy food choices like meats, fresh vegetables and fruits that will leave you feeling satisfied and well-nourished, rather than on a sugar-high (with the inevitable "sugar crash" soon to come). I'm proud to say that I cleaned up our pantry and fridge and got rid of some of those unhealthy food. Well, most of it anyway. I'm keeping my Payless noodles and 555 sardines . After a trip to the grocery store, I came home with oranges, asparagus, salad and california rolls. I'm feeling better already. 

Change your routine. Sometimes making small changes in your life is an excellent way to pull yourself out of a funk. The following ideas are very simple, but they can make a big difference in your day and your mood:

• Add some new decorations in your home. Rearrange the furniture for a fresh perspective.
• Purchase some aromatherapy oils or scented candles that you enjoy.
• Treat yourself to a massage or warm bubble bath. A foot spa would be great for those dry feet. 
• Prepare a special meal for your family or significant other. 
• Listen to a favorite music or relaxation CD.
• Journal to reflect on your emotions or day's activities. In my case, blogging and blog hopping keeps me entertained and informed. 
• Pamper yourself with a day of healthy food, good books and other favorite activities.
• Call an old friend or make new friends. I've made acquaintance with some great people on the internet lately.
• Organize your living space (clearing clutter can be calming for your mind).

Although winter often represents darkness or a bleak and gloomy period in a person's life, let's not forget that it's also a period for resting and healing. It can also mean a phase in your life that leads to restoration and rebirth, to spring. I just love spring.  It's what makes it worth going through winter every year. Then there's the summer... then autumn and fall. Then winter comes once again. The cycle goes on.

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