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Winter can be the most dismal, boring season of the year. With all the colds, fever, headache, slippery roads, etc. it's better to just stay inside the house and hang a sign on the door: "Don't wake until the spring thaw." Right? That would be a bad idea. If you do that you'll miss out on all the fun and excitement of winter. In this article I'm going to present many things you can do to improve your mood and beat the winter blues.

Tip #1. Let the light shine in

Are you more grumpy and moody during the winter months? Do you find yourself wanting to dose off? This commonly happens to a lot of people at this time of the year. One explanation for these behavioral changes is melatonin. Melatonin is a protein hormone that is secreted in the absence of sunlight. Normally this hormone is at its highest concentration during the night time hours while we are sleeping. Winter brings early and lengthy nights which prompts people to sleep. To beat this, part the curtains, raise the window shades or get outside for a while. Exposure to the sunlight will make you feel better. So, get the family outside for a walk, or build a snowman, etc. You'll be glad you did. (It's important that children get enough sunlight in the winter time. To learn more about it read my article Are Your Children Getting Enough Vitamin D?) 

Tip # 2. Read a book

Have you ever become so engrossed in reading a great book or novel, that you completely lose track of time? Reading stimulates the mind and piques the imagination. So instead of wasting your waking hours with boredom, pick up a book, newspaper or reading health and wellness articles (hint hint) is a fantastic way to pass the time.

Tip #3. Clean the house

Chase away those cobwebs in your head by literally cleaning your house. When you're busy doing household chores, you won't time to feel bored. And you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after making your home neat and tidy.

Tip # 4. Do a puzzle game

Crosswords, picture puzzles, you name it. Putting your mental energies to a constructive task not only bolsters brain power, they're challenging enough to keep you pre-occupied for hours.

Tip # 5. Spend time with others

Visit family members in person, on the phone or via the internet. This would be a perfect chance to catch up with loved ones, whom you haven't seen since the holidays. You can plan events together, to watch a movie, go shopping, etc. This will give you something to look forward to and make you feel happy.

Tip # 6. Eat Foods Rich in Anti-oxidants

Food affects mood. Keeping healthy snacks around the house will not only ease hunger, they'll stimulate positive emotions. For a list of healthy foods read The Food and Mood Relationship and Treat Seasonal Depression With Vitamin D Supplements both articles are found right here on this website.

Tip # 7. Smile

Have you ever noticed that you feel better when you're smiling? The mere action of smiling triggers the release of endorphins, these are chemicals in the brain that are associated with feelings of happiness. It's true. Just do this little exercise: smile. See ? It's working already.

Tip # 8. Sing

Singing or humming the tune of a favorite song is an easy way to cheer yourself up. Think of several of your best liked songs and when you start to feel depressed, sing them out loud. Sing for yourself. You'll get a confidence boost when you hear the sound of the of your voice, as you make music from a song that brings you happiness.


Tip # 9. Exercise

A good workout does wonders for the mind, body and spirit. When you're exercising you pump oxygenated blood to all the cells of the body including the brain. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, those chemicals that are associated with happy feelings. Do push ups, burpees, jog in place, walk around the block, or hit the gym - anything which takes you from a resting state to activity is physical exercise. After a thirty minute workout, your body will be powered up and ready to take on the day.

Those are my tips, now it's your turn. How do you keep busy during winter? Tell us about it in the comments.

"9 Tips Guaranteed To Improve Your Mood and Beat The Winter Blues" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.