We’re in the dog days of the New England Winter and many of you have experienced more snow and cold temperatures than you ever have in your own country.  Days are short, the nights are cold, which gives many of us the “winter blues,” characterized by mild depression, lack of motivation, and low energy.  It can also make you feel more isolated and homesick.

Here are some tips on how to keep your mood lifted during the dark months of the year:

*get enough sleep and rest – we need more of it in the winter – but don’t oversleep, which will make you more lethargic.  Sometimes a short nap can work wonders!  Relax when your energy level is down and give yourself time to rejuvenate.

*get out into the fresh air and sun as much as possible.  The sun provides you with vitamin D and improves your mood.  The air provides you with oxygen and you’ll feel more energized.

*exercise regularly. It maintains your weight, lifts your mood, releases stress and gives you more energy.

*eat healthy food.  Try to eat less refined and processed food (white bread, white rice and sugar) and more complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, brown rice, vegetables and fruit.  This gives your body more nutrients and stabilizes your blood sugar and energy level.   Make sure you drink your 8 glasses of water each day.

*Rely on your social network.  Meeting with friends over coffee and tea and chatting on the phone can brighten your mood.  You can always give me a call!

*Plan something that is exciting to you.  Looking forward to an event can brighten your mood: a weekend trip, a party, a sporting event, reading a nice book or watching a movie under the warm covers.

*Embrace the winter season.  Make the best out of what it has to offer – skiing, skating, sledding, building snow men, making snow angels.  If you don’t let winter bother you, your spirits will be brighter!