Beat the winter blues!:

It’s Winter! Time to enjoy cosy fires, hot drinks, warm clothes, snuggling up in bed, and even trips to the snow. However, colder, shorter days may result in the winter blues, anxiety over one’s health, and worry about the best ways to keep the family well. When such winter-time- concerns set in, it’s time to take action. So, turn-up your mental heat and beat the winter blues! It’s good for your health.

DON’T HIBERNATE.

Although the weather outside may be cold and blustery, resist the urge to hide away. Going into hibernation-mode isn’t good for one’s mental or physical wellbeing. What’s the answer? Get out and about during Winter. Don’t isolate yourself. Keep on-the- go.

TIP:

• Don’t become immobilized during the colder months. Keep yourself mentally active.
• Improve your mood. Give yourself a much needed people-boost. Head out into your community and participate in the many fun activities on offer.
• Socially interact with others. Spend time with friends and family. Share your favourite winter soup or casseroles with them.

LET THE SUNLIGHT IN.

During winter, many people go to work and return home in darkness. Experiencing fewer hours of daylight, can lead to winter depression.

TIP:

• Beat gloomy, wintery-type thoughts by letting the sunlight of gladness and gratitude brighten your thinking. “Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light”. - Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p. 516
• Don’t feel trapped indoors by the winter blues. Be like the small canary that was mistakenly shut inside a cupboard. Although in total darkness, it started singing. As a result, it was found and set free.
• Free yourself from melancholy emotions. Let the rays of freedom-generating, joy-bringing thoughts, light up your thinking.

EXPECT TO STAY WELL.

When cold and rainy weather arrives, so too can the fear of becoming ill. Such anxiety can be countered with the confident expectation of maintaining good health in every season.

TIP:

• Don’t anticipate being sick during colder months. Keep the fear of illness out of your thinking.
• Act like a porter. Stand guard at the door of thought. “When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears.” - Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 392
• Feel safe, strong and well. There is a health-protecting, divine Presence, caring for you all year round. See, The Bible, Psalm 91. You can beat the winter blues and it’s good for your health.

ABOUT THE EXPERT:
Beverly Goldsmith is a health writer and practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing. Twitter: @GoldsmithBev