TRACY DOYLE WELLNESS

Will spring ever come?

A snowman sitting on top of a rock near the ocean

Mid-winter blues,

I will admit that winter is not my favorite season. I don't love the cold, and I don't enjoy winter activities. My husband says I hibernate in the winter, preferring to snuggle up next to the fireplace and read a book.

It's mid-February and it seems like winter has been going on forever, especially here in Michigan where there are far more cloudy gray days than sunshine. If you live in a state that is similar you understand, the days start to run together, and you just want to sleep until spring comes.

I totally understand, but for me that starts to take a toll on my physical and emotional well-being. The things I want to accomplish start to seem less important and the longer I put off moving and doing, the worse I feel.

If you are feeling this way too, you understand. But I want to say, don't give in to it. The longer you put things off the harder it is to get going again. The physical and emotional toll it takes on you is real.

It's a slippery slope that gets harder to climb the longer we are on it.

Ways to fight the winter blues

Getting physically active gives you more energy and helps your muscles feel stronger, but it also gives you a hit of dopamine (feel good chemical in your body).

I like to start the day with some simple arm lifts to get the blood and oxygen flowing. And some simple stretches feel so good in the morning. If you do some stretching before bed it can help you relax and sleep better too. It doesn't take much time; I spend about ten minutes of my day. My plan is to get back to yoga, I stopped during the holidays and haven't gotten back to it. Maybe for you its back to the gym or a class you enjoyed. Even if you plan to get back to something in the spring don't stop moving, there is plenty you can do right at home.

I also like to take a Vitamin D supplement in the winter. Getting some vitamin D can make a big difference in how we feel. Even in the summertime we spend a lot of time indoors and don't get enough sunshine, but winter can leave us very depleted in vitamin D. When I am lucky enough to see sunshine in the winter, I take advantage and walk outside and let the sun shine on my face. It feels sooooo good. It's a great pick me up in the winter. I know it sounds cold, just give it a try! Taking a walk outside if you are dressed for it really isn't so bad either.

Last but not least, working on my thoughts is one of the most important things I can do for my emotional wellbeing in the winter.

If the winter blues gets to you, it's so important to actively stay positive.

I keep a journal and everyday write down three things that I'm grateful for, then spend a few minutes reflecting on those things. It's hard to be negative when you are feeling grateful. I also like to plan for the spring. I have a plan for the garden I will be planting. This year I will start some seedlings from the seeds I gathered last year.

Are there projects you want to do this year? Make a plan, write it down and see what you can do now to get it started.

You may be asking, what does any of this have to do with functional nutrition?

Well, when I work with someone, we also work on lifestyle and mindset as well as nutrition. A holistic approach is seeing you as a complete person, mind, body and soul.

But what about the nutrition?

Of course, that is a very important part of feeling good during the winter as well. Eating a lot of sugary, high carb foods that are lacking in nutrients is just going to leave you feeling bad. Those foods don't give you what your body needs for you to feel good.

I plan my meals as much as possible, so I get in a good number of fruits and vegetables. It's good to get in extra vitamin C this time of the year, so I work in extra citrus and dark green leafy vegetables. Good protein and good healthy fat are important too.

This is a great time of the year for soups and stews, easy and tasty.

Don't overindulge with junk food out of boredom. Plan for healthy snacks, nuts, cut up vegetables with hummus and pumpkin seeds are just a few of my favorites.