Beat the Winter Blues!

Hello everyone! Can you believe that this is the last week of January? I don't know about you guys, but over here at ECHO some of us are getting the winter blues. It has been almost a month since the holiday season and things do not seem to be getting closer to spring here here in Detriot. With the winter in full swing, we think its time for some tips on how to beat the winter blues!

1. LIGHT

Yes, you read that right: light. It helps us feel happier and healthier. With all of these grey days, it is important to get as much light as possible (especially in the morning). Open your blinds, turn on all the lights, buy a fun new lamp (the Salvatioin Army on Fort St. has everything 1/2 off on Saturdays!), sit back and soak in the rays. Light is a natural remedy for happiness and revitilizing energy.

2. EXERCISE

We know it can be tough to run outside in this weather, but there are many things you can do inside for FREE to stay active. If you have access to a computer, there are many YouTube channels that have full workout videos that you can do without leaving your home. (Here's my favorite: http://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates) You can also do a few jumping jacks, run in place, or simply climb up and down the stairs a few times. The more we exercise, the more we create circulation and endorphins in the body which results in a happier, fuller, winter day. Even if you touch your toes during a commercial break, just stretching those muscles is a great way to keep your body and mind in a positive place!

3. FOOD

You can change your winter blues right from the supermarket! There are a lot of affordable foods that will directly affect our mood through healthy vitimins and nutrients!

           -Vitimin D - Milk, OJ, fortified cereals, cod liver oil, 

            and mushrooms

           -Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Tuna, salmon, sardines, 

           fortified eggs, and Fish Oil supplements

           -B Complex - Cheese, green leafy veggies, eggs, 

            milk, beans

           -Carbs - (balanced with veggies please!) Not enough

            carbs in your diet can affect serotonin levels and 

            your mood; the middle of winter is not the best time

            to go on a low carb diet (but make sure you are not 

            eating too many carbs!)

We know it can be hard to stay positive during the cold winter months, but we hope these tips will help! Please leave a comment in the box below if you have any suggestions on how to stay happy and healthy in January!