Yesterday was widely reported as being Blue Monday, or the most depressing day of the year. Unfortunately, the "science" that decided it was the most depressing day of the year is based on arbitrary factors and funded by people trying to sell you stuff. In other words, advertising that sounds like truth. But I guess it makes a good news story, and a good leaping off point for a blog...
Yesterday was actually a great day. The sun was shining, I got a full nights sleep, and I got a pile of work done. In winter, days like that can be rare. The noticeable absence of the sun, the constant threat of snow storms, having to wear a coat, boots, hat, mitts, and a scarf AND STILL be really freaking cold all the time, can be a real downer. Despite how beautiful winter can be, and despite how much I love cuddling in blankets and wearing sweaters and pajamas, winter kinda sucks.
For one thing driving is harder. I recently got my first car so I am still really hyper about it, so icy roads, white outs, and heaps of snow covering the car are my new enemies. Thankfully my car came with snow tires, so I am feeling less edgy about driving in the wintertime than I have in previous years. Even with the tires, winter driving is still a lot less fun than clear-blue-skies summer driving.
Another thing about winter is the constant gray days and the dark nights that stay well into the morning and come back far too early in the evening. Even the days where the sun does show up, it is -20°C or colder out, making indoors the only wise place to be and cabin fever something you have to fight off. No wonder it's hard to stay happy!
One of the ways I am trying to combat my Winter Blahs is by dosing myself with Vitamin D. I take 1000 IU per day and hopefully that makes my body happy, regardless of all sun it is missing out on. I have also been fighting cabin fever by engaging in hobbies that keep me from going crazy, redrum style. Scrapbooking, knitting, writing, and reading are all key to my indoor mental health. I also have to make sure I get regular exercise, as exercise is definitely a mood enhancer for me. I have some work out videos that get my heart pumping, and on any sunny day that is above -5°C, I'll brave the cold and go out for a walk.
Even if there had been hard evidence, I don't agree that yesterday was the most depressing day of the year. I would place such a day somewhere in February, as that is when we realize we still have a month or more of this shit to get through. One of these days I'm going to get myself some snow pants so I can at least try to enjoy the snow while it is here. Until then, bring on summer!
Yesterday was actually a great day. The sun was shining, I got a full nights sleep, and I got a pile of work done. In winter, days like that can be rare. The noticeable absence of the sun, the constant threat of snow storms, having to wear a coat, boots, hat, mitts, and a scarf AND STILL be really freaking cold all the time, can be a real downer. Despite how beautiful winter can be, and despite how much I love cuddling in blankets and wearing sweaters and pajamas, winter kinda sucks.
For one thing driving is harder. I recently got my first car so I am still really hyper about it, so icy roads, white outs, and heaps of snow covering the car are my new enemies. Thankfully my car came with snow tires, so I am feeling less edgy about driving in the wintertime than I have in previous years. Even with the tires, winter driving is still a lot less fun than clear-blue-skies summer driving.
Another thing about winter is the constant gray days and the dark nights that stay well into the morning and come back far too early in the evening. Even the days where the sun does show up, it is -20°C or colder out, making indoors the only wise place to be and cabin fever something you have to fight off. No wonder it's hard to stay happy!
One of the ways I am trying to combat my Winter Blahs is by dosing myself with Vitamin D. I take 1000 IU per day and hopefully that makes my body happy, regardless of all sun it is missing out on. I have also been fighting cabin fever by engaging in hobbies that keep me from going crazy, redrum style. Scrapbooking, knitting, writing, and reading are all key to my indoor mental health. I also have to make sure I get regular exercise, as exercise is definitely a mood enhancer for me. I have some work out videos that get my heart pumping, and on any sunny day that is above -5°C, I'll brave the cold and go out for a walk.
Even if there had been hard evidence, I don't agree that yesterday was the most depressing day of the year. I would place such a day somewhere in February, as that is when we realize we still have a month or more of this shit to get through. One of these days I'm going to get myself some snow pants so I can at least try to enjoy the snow while it is here. Until then, bring on summer!
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I agree... winter just flat out sucks, not just on one Monday. And really, truly, invest in snow pants. I have some and I wear them -- partly to be a good example to the little guys -- every time I leave the house if it's below zero, and they have made the difference between just being a little chilly and irritated while I wait for Beege after school and sobbing as I freeze to death. Because of course, 20 kids in all their winter gear are hardly ever out the door on time. :P
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