Winter Blues

Living in Alaska's Interior was quite a change for Mat-Su Valley gal. I had grown up south of Alaska's frigid interior and though I had visited a time or two I really never imagined living here. That all changed when I fell in love and married a native man from Nenana. All these many years later the thought of living somewhere else brings tears to my eyes. My husband mentioned the other day as I complained to him of my old aching joints and muscles, that maybe we should be snowbirds. What, I gasped and felt the sting of tears in my eyes leave our home are you crazy? To his defense he was only thinking of me and the physical challenges the intense cold of our homeland can bring. In my mind however I am choosing to find ways to make home better in the winter, instead of leaving it 5 months a year. Keeping active is a big part I know, but just as important for me and getting daylight into my peepers. Full Spectrum florescent bulbs are great for this and your house plants will love them too. Here are some more ideas to try.

• Treadmill for walking which we do much less of in the winter
• Indoor vegetable garden or window sill garden
• Take a class at a community school or college
• Join a group or go to church do something weekly
• Eat summer food! BBQ in the oven, fruit salads, tea
• Listen to your favorite music a little louder
• Art Projects
• Home Projects
• Light up your house brighten your outlook
• Spring Cleaning and DE-cluttering
• Aromatherapy lavender, vanilla, peppermint, coconut
• make summer a state of mind

You may not be able to keep this up all winter but you really don't want to. Winter is nice and should be enjoyed, but when the winter blues start getting you down maybe you can try a couple of these ideas and cheer things up a bit. Good Luck.