Ten Cures for Mid-Winter Depression

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I’m usually upbeat, but two weeks of solid rain, nasty wind, and no sunshine has left me with a bad case of the mid-winter blues.  Thought I’d share my list of depression cures with you, in case you’re suffering from the same fate:

1.  Dance!  I don’t care if you move like Elaine from Seinfeld; just turn on some music and dance  around your den for twenty minutes.  You may feel like an idiot, but you will become a joyful idiot!  I guarantee it.

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2.  Light fires.  I’m not talking about burning down the neighborhood, just a good old-fashioned wood fire in the fireplace, or even a bonfire, if the circumstances are right.  Fire brings primal warmth on multiple levels.  

3.  Time travel.  While a good “Back to the Future” movie or Twilight Zone episode couldn’t hurt, what I’m thinking about here is any activity that makes you forget time temporarily.  You could read a great book, cook a new and exciting meal, or take up drawing or painting.  (These are all things that get put on the back burner at our house once good weather hits.)  

4.  Take up the harmonica, or another instrument that makes you happy.  This is also good for using that OTHER side of your brain, which makes you smarter.  So now you’re happier AND smarter.  How are we doing?

5.  Eat chocolate.  Studies back me up here, too, and you’ll just have to trust me. 

6.  Switch your light bulbs to natural spectrum light.  Immediate mood booster!  

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7.  If you able, plan a trip to a warmer—think tropical—climate.  If not, consider throwing a tropical themed party.  If you’re also suffering from economic depression and can’t throw a party, try drinking box wine while wearing summer clothes and looking at tropical images online.  

8.   Plan your spring garden on paper.  Or draw plans for your ideal future swimming pool.  Shop catalogs or online for that chaise lounge or hammock that you’ve always intended to buy.  And again, if you have no money, visualize things getting better in the near future and picture yourself lounging in warm sunshine.

9.  Seek out companionship.  And if that includes lewd thoughts, they might make you warmer!  


10.  Remember that spring always follows winter, or at least it has so far.  And depression usually lasts three days before shifting somewhat.  So know that this mid-winter depression is temporary, and not unrelenting.

Do you have novel ways of beating mid-winter depression?  Please feel free to share a comment.  And if you're enjoying what I've written, please consider subscribing.  It's free and easy and my posts can go right into your email inbox.  Thanks for reading!



Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com