Winter comes and after a white Christmas, most people are ready for Spring-like weather. However, in Connecticut and New York areas, we have a few more months of winter to deal with on a daily basis. How do we enjoy the winter without getting the blues or depressed that we are inside more than usual?

4 Steps to Fighting the Winter Blues

• Participate in Activities

Get moving and join a group! You can get involved in a card club, book club or maybe a museum-hopping group. How about a group that hits the theater or movies? The list is endless of what you can do, when winter sets in and you become a little bored or lonely. Staying positive and active is the key to happiness in the winter. 

• Stay Social

Friends, family and more friends and family is a must. Feeling a bit blue when the snow flies? Call a friend and maybe you can connect through skype or just chat a bit about what is going on in the neighborhood or community. You could schedule time to meet for coffee or tea if the weather permits. Staying social and having purpose is very important at any age, but especially as you grow older. 

• Exercise Regularly

Moving is important and it is important not only for your body, but your mind. Keeping active helps you do all the fun activities you like to do, and it keeps the brain happy too. It is fun to take a walk or go to the local YMCA with friends and swim. Partaking in exercise helps chase sadness away. You can even involve family and grandchildren in exercise. Play one of their video games and enjoy the fun of bowling or dancing. Exercise comes in many ways and forms to meet your needs physically and socially!

• Enjoy Time with Nature

Nature walks can be a blast but in the winter, they can be tricky! You might have to go out in small spurts or with a friend on a walk around the block. No matter the case, a little time outside helps reduce anxiety, and it can be social and help you connect with others. While outside you can boost your creativity, keep your waistline under control and get some Vitamin D. Outside excursions and exercise help you sleep better too!

If you are feeling sad or lonely during the winter, fight the battle with activities, socializing, exercising and getting outdoors. There are many things you can do and it can start with getting up and making a phone call. Need more advice for you or your aging loved ones? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options and she is an expert at helping people in the aging process. 

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.