Friday, January 4, 2013

What have we been doing all winter?

There comes a time when summer asks what you have been doing all winter. -Unknown January and February can be rough on our mental well-being. It's dark and gloomy (at least here in New England), the trees are barren, and the weather is cold, and often snowy. The holidays are over and nothing distracts from a long winter. Most people find themselves camped out in front of their television from the time they arrive home, after work, until bedtime. I find winter to be a great time to go to bed earlier, and let my body heal from my warmer weather activities. Instead of television, I like to curl up with a book and catch up on my reading. Personally, I'm drawn to self-help or similar non-fiction books, which help me grow as a person. There's no need to neglect our bodies this time of year. Gym memberships are so inexpensive today. I figure I can recoup my $10/month gym membership fee simply by showering at the gym several days a week, thereby saving hot water in my house. And the gym can be a great mood boost. I've rarely walked out of the gym in the same or worse mood as I entered. Winter is also a great time to try something new, such as Yoga, or maybe an art class. Consider joining a club, or getting together with friends on a regular basis. It's also a great time to volunteer in the community. There are so many opportunities to get out of the house, and touch someone else's life. The warmer weather will return soon enough. What will we have done with the winter?