It’s inevitable; winter is officially among us. It gets darker much earlier and it lasts for longer, exams and midterms are everywhere we look, and it’s gloomy all around. How do we get out of the funk that seems to come along with winter every year? I want to show you that with a couple minor tweaks to your everyday routine that winter can be as happy, and just as energetic as summer is.
1. Turn up the light!
During winter, it gets dark around 5 pm and it is still pitch black till around 7 am. For some people with really busy schedules, it may feel as though they wake up in dark and go to bed in dark as well – which does nothing for your emotional well-being. A lot of people say that whenever winter comes they feel more depressed, anxious, and sleepy. A great remedy for this is Vitamin D! The sun’s rays give off Vitamin D and you can get up to 80%-90% of your daily intake through just that. But in winter, our bodies have more difficulty retaining it. You can buy Vitamin D supplements at any health food store or drug store for under $10.
2. Boost your immune system!
It’s not a shocker that with the cold weather comes more colds, flus, and infections. And who likes being sick! When you’re sick, not only does your body take a toll, but so does your mind. It takes you out of your everyday routine and really puts a damper in studying, or even hanging out with friends. A main cause for a dampened immune system is what you are eating. I’m not talking about eating more greens, but rather, eating less processed foods. Processed foods carry more sugar and bad carbohydrates (white rice, flour etc.) which effects levels in your brain. Sugar makes you cranky, irritated, and increases fatigue levels in your body. Ever wonder why you feel sleepy after eating a bowl of pasta? Your digestive system has trouble breaking down the carbs, as it takes twice as long as a regular meal. Staying away as much as you can from those two things will only benefit your body and mind, making you happier and more energetic.
3. Get going!
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean all sports and physical activity are allowed to go out the window. There are just as many awesome activities in the winter as the summer, and sometimes even better! There’s skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, sledding, and so on. I mean, besides the excuse of not owning a pair of snow pants, there is no reason NOT to get outside. In Toronto, you’re only a 40-90 minute drive away from places such as Horseshoe Valley or Blue Mountain, which have great facilities for winter activities. And a lot of them offer great group discounts or student discounts if you’re not familiar. And honestly, half your cardio is getting all your snow gear on in the first place. It’s important to exercise, whether it’s a walk down the street or 5 hours of skiing to stay active. If you succumb to your couch, it will only push the winter blues along. Have fun with it!
Happy holidays!
Photo Sources:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3krypY5Ys1rus63yo1_500.gif
http://crossfiteternal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Processed_Food_Art…
http://38.media.tumblr.com/bc2b36fe828c949fceaf2c80acc30c48/tumblr_mfcy6…