We finally
seem to be sinking into the winter weather that some of us had been waiting for
and some of us had been dreading. Winter
in Vermont isn’t the easiest season, with driveways flooded with snow, below
zero temperatures, short days… but it’s also one of the best seasons we have to offer. Just ask the tourists who come
here for skiing and snowboarding!
We live in a
dark section of the country during these winter months. Maybe it doesn’t happen to you, but many people
get that doldrums feeling during the gloomy months with symptoms including irritability, apathy and fatigue among others.
The most common belief is that this is caused by the short days and
colder weather. But don’t worry, there
is a solution on the horizon! I have a
feeling you already know what it is…
Get Outside!
If you’re
anything like me, you may love having the snow around, but going outside and
doing anything in the cold? It’s going to take some convincing, plus a promise
of hot chocolate when you let me come back inside. But there is something to be said for going
outside during the winter.
Get More Exercise!
Two of the
most effective cures for the winter blues is getting more sunlight and exercise. Like I said, the lack of sunlight and the cold
can be demoralizing but getting outside kills two birds with one stone! If you read my blog in October, you know that
I’m a fan of exercising outside of the gym, especially in the winter.
The first
step is finding your activity. My
personal favorite is downhill skiing because I can pretend that I’m flying but
that’s not for everyone. If you’re a
runner, maybe try cross country skiing or snowshoeing. If you’re a graceful or coordinated person,
try ice skating or outdoor hockey. Make
it a family activity by going sledding or building a snowman, appropriate for
all ages (and it’s a great way to wear your kids out).
By reveling
in the outdoors, we get our blood moving which helps with the negative symptoms. Just enjoying the sun by taking a walk or
finding a cozy snowbank to hang out on and feeling the rays on your face can
help lift up your mood. So please get outside this winter, bundle up
and journey out into the cold to see what adventures you can have!
By Alyssa
Bingham
Communications
Intern, UVAC
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