Blah, Blah Blues

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. Even just 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 rationale.

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 temperate 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. Engage in 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 instance. So in the wintertime, a trip to a sunny location and some time in the sun will likely improve your mood 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. A brisk walk outdoors or heading to the gym for 30-minute workout can do wonders for your mood, and your body will benefit too. You don't 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.

Comments

[marilyn]

hello again! just had this what we call SAD as well in England, a week ago i had my weeklong annual leave,i decided to have one because my bday falls on that time and thought just to stay at home be with my family and have time to play with my little girl be away from busy nursing job. But a sudden change of my routines made me worse because of this winter, meaning i had some of those signs and symptoms. I tried to battle against those by general cleaning the house and doing lots ironing etc.,and of course reading blogs. My husband even teasing me i am becoming an addict. one is reading yours...

[Jennifer]

Thanks for brightening my day! I think i have SAD this season and it bothers me too.Well your blog was quite informative and i like reading it. keep blogging!!! more power! FROM: jhing_mesina@yahoo.com

[-'bEkAnG bAi'-]

hi rose...how's life there in abroad....well,me im busy fixing my trip to europe...hope to see you there!!ciao

[Angelina]

i don't have much time... being a designer...browsing or looking to one's blog is not my thing... but yours seems different..you must start writing your own book! just let me know! keep it up!

[Angel]

hehehe! cute blog!We used to live in New York but I didnt suffer as muuch the SAD syndrome, only when we moved to Ohio. siguro boring kase dun..hehehehe.:P

[Lei]

Hi Rose,

Loved reading your blogs, keep it up.

Though I was born and raised in Manila, I miss the snow. I love how the season changes here in the midwest and I look forward for the winter months when I can go snowboarding.
I could totally relate to what you were saying, I've been there myself. But after accepting the fact that I live here, I had to change the way I think about winter and snow.

Oh well, this El Nino phenomenon is really something.

TC!

[joey]

hi rose i just want to go abroad and work over there because its really hard to find job here in our country and the one reason of them is our political status today.. now can you help me???

[Blesse]

Hi Rosemarie, aside from simply putting your feelings into writing, you give informative blogs as well..Blog away!

[Dennis]

i like your blog. Im residing here in michigan, i think we have the same kind of weather.ill be 3 years now this july,and my first winter here is awesome. since that would be the first time to see snow ever, which really makes me excited. Since im a homecare PT, im juggling with this white thing. but as times passed, im beginning to dislike it,probably because of the hazard that it may bring when your driving... And most of all the feeling of depression when it is too gloomy outside. Thats it!

[joy]

Hi Rose, I do have the winter blues too but guess what? I'm here in California and am still having it! It's so different if you grew up in the Philippines and have this cold, cold season every half year or so. But thanks for the tips on how to ease that a bit. Exercise really helped... in terms of comfort foods? I don't know; it'll be hard to beat that.
Nice entry, btw! :)

[Evangeline]

Hey Rose, Not too cold here in the UK, so I can't complain much..I am actually feeling elated. Firstly, because I found some good bargains in the sale, shopping seems to make me happy:).How shallow of me..Secondly, I have just finished a 2 days induction day.You guessed it, I am starting a new job to keep me in my toes this 2007!!Anyway, CHEER UP and be thankful..Worst things can happen. E xx

[Kyndra]

hi rosemarie im A FILIPINA I BORN IN BRUNEI IM NINE YEARS OLD NOW MY BIRTHDAY IS ON NOV.9,1997.BUT IM FROM FILIPINES

[Denia]

Rose, don't let the winter blues get you down. Think about our beloved tropical paradise in the Phils., your goodtimes. Winter will be over soon and everything be back in normal. Stay on track with your #5, you can do it. If I can, you can too. lol

[Makis]

HI Rose! First off, thank you so much for the holiday greeting you left on my friendster account :) I've always had the winter blues solely because I hate the cold but apparently, this year's winter is unusually warm (and scary) in my part of the world - a record of 19° on January 10, 2007 - but winter is not over yet. Hope you're not feeling too blue this winter. Thank goodness it's not forever ;-) Keep warm!

[Mates]

rose, i would have wanted snow for Christmas, just for effect. We didn't have any here in Maryland, though.
i should let my friend grace read this blog of yours. her spirit needs a little lifting, and i can't do two things at the same time ( mine needs one, too). The sad thing is, she knows it, acknowledges it, but doesn't do something about it. the sad thing with me is that i know it, i acknlwledge it, i do some things about it, but i don't have the follow through. so, i feel like it's just one vicious cycle . plus the fact that we work the night shift doesn't help much with this malady. parang i want to tear out my hair, and the hair of my co-worker at the end of the shift.hehehehe.
anyway, i think majority of us are going through this right now. it's just comforting to know that we are not alone. groundhog day is fast approaching. so we needn't worry. spring will be here soon.

[AJ MaO'Brn]

Now that we donot have ENOUGH SNOW, how I missed SKIING. For my eight years of stay I've been on and on all along in the slopes anywhere in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. But now napurga ko...huhuhuhu I'm praying for snow, but my husband was so glad, HE HATED SNOW AS A MAILMAN. It slows him down, right now he keeps teasing me, even during our Immigration interview it was brought up. I love to ski and I learned a great deal of it. We don't have it in the Philippines so, I make sure to learn all those kinds of things to pass the time being.

[Tony]

Hi Rosemarie, having been born here I enjoyed the winters as a child but not anymore. Being married to a filipina makes both of us long for sun and warm temperatures. Nice blog.