Y Talk: The Strange Glowing Ball in the Sky by Michelle Bell

If I had to pick my favorite season of the year I would have a hard time choosing between spring and fall. All you summer lovers, don’t hate. I enjoy summer as well, but mostly because of the change of pace it brings. But there’s just something about the in-between of spring and fall that I really enjoy. There’s nothing like going for a run (or walk) in the spring and seeing all of the new growth brightening up the sea of browns and grays. And it takes a lot to beat a brisk fall hike surrounded by a rainbow of colors.

Then there’s winter. Ah winter, how I despise thee. Your gloomy, sunless days and frigid temperatures drive me inside to breathe stale air infected with whatever germs my husband and children drag home from their schools. Those germs caught up with me last week when I got the flu. I was (am) frustrated with how long it has lingered. The first few days are a little foggy. I had a fever and slept the majority of those days. Even my New Year’s resolution to floss every Monday, Wednesday and Friday got put on hold because I am not really sure if I even got out of bed to brush my teeth those days.

After the test (where I’m certain they collected some of my brain matter along with whatever they were digging for in my nose) led to my official flu diagnosis and subsequent prescription for Tamiflu, things started to look up. But I still spent the majority of my time over the next several days on the couch. The weather outside didn’t do much to help either. Everything has been so dreary and gloomy. And I think it lengthened my recovery time.

But then I woke up this morning and saw this strange glowing orange ball in the sky. It was so amazing and refreshing! I really think that is why I enjoy the spring and fall days I was describing above. While I do enjoy a run in a light rain now and again, most of the time I’m doing these activities outside when the sun is out. And that’s also why summer is third on my list and not fourth. I can’t deal with this lack of sunshine in my life!

Tips to Beat the Winter Blues

The return of the sunshine today got me thinking about ways I can survive what is left of winter.

Everything I read about the winter blues—and the more serious version called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—talks about the importance of getting sunlight. Since we have had quite a shortage of that lately, I purchased a light that mimics sunlight and plan to try to sit by it 15-30 minutes in the morning to see if that makes me hate winter less.

Several articles also suggest engaging in vigorous physical activity three to four times a week. Before the flu, I would say I was doing pretty well with that. Since then, not so much. My first post-flu attempt at physical activity was playing volleyball in the women’s league at the Stuart Community Center last night. I played the last game of our first match and all three of the second match. But I was running on empty by the third game of the last match. It felt good to be moving again, but once the fatigue set in I was done. So I sat out of the staff wallyball game today. I’m shooting for Friday’s staff CrossFit workout and then running with my college roommate on Sunday. Then I just need to keep up the pattern once I’ve made a full recovery.

Other articles talk about the importance of socializing. As an introvert, this is a little more daunting. But luckily my children have very busy sports schedules that will force me to be around other people in the next several weeks. Combine that with the Circle Group that we host on Sunday nights with several friends from church and I think I can check this one off the list.

Another common theme in the articles I read is that you should stop talking about how much you hate winter. Oops. I might have a little work to do here. Continually thinking about how much you don’t like winter only makes it more likely you’ll feel sad as the season progresses, says Kelly Rohan, lead author of a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and a professor and director of clinical training in the department of psychological science at the University of Vermont.

One article suggests lighting some “scrumptious-smelling” candles, putting on pleasant music and creating a sense of coziness to embrace the season. Well, I do like candles. And music. And being cozy. OK, I guess I can give this one a try too.

If you too are suffering from a case of the winter blues, why not give these tips a try? It can’t make it any worse, right? Oh man, that negative winter talk resurfaced again. Let’s try that again…get as much sunlight as possible, stay active and socially engaged and tell everyone you see today that WINTER ROCKS!!

-by Michelle Bell, Marketing Director