It’s that time of year:  Winter!  As I write this, there’s no snow on the ground beckoning me to go outside and shovel (shoveling is one of my favorite things to do in winter.  I know that must sound crazy to some people!).  Winter has a way of making you want to hibernate–it can be cozy to be snuggled up indoors with our partner, families, or friends as you connect with each other inside, sipping hot cocoa sitting by the fire (at least in theory, right?  If you have kids, they’re more than likely staring at a screen).

Many people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in winter or they become more sad–sadder than say, compared to the warmer summer months.  Researchers are now linking a vitamin D deficiency to SAD.  Not spending as much time outdoors leads to lack of sunshine, hence the lack of vitamin D.

But what if you don’t have SAD and you’re just feeling lethargic?  What if apathy has set in and you’re feeling kinda blah or a little down?  What can you do?

7 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

1.  Up your nutrition.  Eat high quality food and take high quality supplements like fish oil and vitamin D.

2.  Exercise–do some of it outside.  Move–even if it’s cleaning up your home.

3.  Get outside more and connect with nature.

4.  Get connected–to your partner, friends, and family.  Spend time with people who will lift you up, not put you down.

5.  Get enough sleep.

6.  Read, listen, look at things that are inspiring.  Make a list and have it handy.

7.  Do something new and fun–even if it’s little–every day.  Shake up your routine and the lethargy.

While I’ve only listed 7, there are lots more ways to get out of a negative funk.  How do you help beat the winter blues?