I don’t know about you, but I start to get a little down when I haven’t seen the sun in a few days. If you live in Minnesota, like I do and it is December, it is bound to happen. Our winter months can get a little long and drawn out. Unfortunately, there are plenty of dreary days this time of year, so sometimes you have to learn to make your own sunshine.

sunflower-sun-summer-yellow

The other day was a one of those days. I was feeling a little off with another cloudy day.  I went on my usual morning walk, thinking that would help, but the fresh air wasn’t enough to shake my mood. After sitting by my computer for a few hours, I still felt the dreariness outside and knew it was time to do something to change my mood.

I decided to put on some good music and grabbed my hula hoop. I don’t know why, but I just love my hula hoop and I knew a little movement and music would put a different spin on things. Sure enough, after hula hopping for 10 minutes or so, I felt a lot better. I decided a little more exercise would do me good, so I got on my elliptical machine. I could’t believe how much better I felt after 30 minutes. It is amazing how a little exercise can change your mood. Exercising releases endorphin’s in your brain, which make you feel good. In fact, “endorphin’s are chemicals that act a lot like their medically engineered counterpart, morphine. Runners have credited them for their feel-good effects for decades.”¹ Endorphins are released when you push your body to do more.

hula-hoop

Besides exercising, there are plenty of other ways ways you can make your own sunshine, when you are feeling out of sorts.

person-jusmping-at-sunset

Following are a few examples:

  • Go for a walk
  • Go to the gym
  • Crank up some good music
  • Drink a cup of tea
  • Jump rope
  • Go for a run
  • Make some cookies
  • Yoga
  • Hula hoop
  • Treat yourself to a coffee drink
  • Get a massage
  • Do some jumping jacks
  • Go bowling
  • Go to a movie
  • Jump on a trampoline
  • Snow Shoe
  • Cross Country Ski
  • Skating

The important thing is find something that you and enjoy and go do it.

music-and-exercise

If you are one of those people that suffers from seasonal effective disorder, you might want to get yourself a sun lamp. Sun lights simulate day light and provide a full spectrum of natural light, which can be very helpful for some people. I purchased a desk lamp from the Sun Box Company about a month ago and would recommend it.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Source:

¹ @runnersworld. “How to Achieve a Runner’s High.” Runner’s World. N.p., 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/how-to-achieve-a-runners-high