Fighting the Blues by Rambling Raven
By Raven • Nov 9th, 2009 • Category: Rambling Raven •
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Fighting the Blues by Rambling Raven
Every year I struggle to find ways to battle the winter blues. The days are shorter; the city is barren, cold and gloomy. I often feel as if I am walking in a fog from November until sometime around late March. I was told by my doctor that my symptoms were not severe enough to be classified as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Yet, I can not deny the fact that I go through a funk for a good portion of the winter months. I have learned to live with such gloominess, but I think that this year may be a little more difficult than usual. I have a demanding boss, I am dealing with an ill family member and I will take on a few classes to help me further my career. A lot of demands and a lot of stress added on to the dreariness I often experience during this time of year.
I am however, determined to battle the winter blues this year. I took time out and actually sat down and began to list all the things that I can do to help lift my spirits during this time of year. Here is my list:
- Listen to lot of uplifting and upbeat music. (I especially find this helpful in the morning when I am getting ready for work. It puts me in a joyful mood and I find that I don’t lag around the house as much. I also take my ipod along with me to continue the upbeat mood.)
- Finish as much of my work at work. (I find that if I just stay an extra hour or so at work getting things done, I can go home with a more relaxed mind.)
- Turn off the news. (I love being informed but when I am already battling mild depression the last thing I need is to harp on the dreadful news that is going on around my city and the world. I try to update myself only a few times a week instead of everyday.)
- Stay in touch with friends and family. (During this time, the last thing I need to do is isolate myself. It helps to know that I have people I can turn to for support or just to have a conversation with, via the telephone or internet.)
- Thank goodness for DVDs. (I don’t have to worry about what is on cable or TV. I can indulge myself in some good old nostalgic movies or old television shows. I watch a lot of situational comedies, also. I enjoy an evening with the Golden Girls, Sandford and Son, The Jeffersons and Everybody Loves Raymond. And my all time favorite, the X- Files. A little nostalgic fun can go a long way.)
- I chose what I read carefully. This isn’t the time for me to tackle heavy duty subjects. I try to read a lot from my favorite genres. Anything that is heavy on action and suspense and light on heartache is what I indulge in.
- I try and stay healthy. (This time of the year it is very easy to catch a virus and being sick will on add to the misery. Therefore, I try to watch what I eat and take my vitamins and supplements.)
- Most importantly I relax when I need to. I desperately try to get in my eight hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation can only add to the stress filled days and an overall feeling of sadness.
I am determined to beat the winter blues and a stress filled winter. Everyday it is a battle to stay positive, yet I am determined to do just that. I am armed with a slew of CDs, DVDs, books and family and friends to help me get by. I know I may not win the battle everyday, but at least I have a plan to battle those winter blues whenever I feel them coming on.
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Raven is an educator with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Education. She has been an avid reader since childhood. Her favorite genres are mystery, suspense, and horror, although she will give any genre a try. She is a life long resident of Chicago. Her love of books opened her mind to people, places and events far beyond her Chicago home. Reading helped to shape her world and her opinion of the events that took place within it. No matter what demands her career requires of her, she has always found time to read and write in a journal. Along with reading and journaling, she loves to watch the sunset, and discuss hot topics with family and friends. She loves baseball, horror movies, mysteries, listening to music from every corner of the world and expressing her view of the latest books with the women of APOOO.
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Great post and very timely. Acknowledging your fears, sitting down and writing out a plan is brave. Ironically, fall is my favorite time of year, I look forward to it; winter can be tough if you don’t keep busy and preoccupied.
.-= Dera´s last blog ..Memories of Savannah =-.