Here we are at the beginning of January and looking back to last year, the opening of 2023 was bleak. Bleak from a weather standpoint. A headline from the Toronto Star stated: “It wasn’t your imagination: Ontario experienced it’s darkest winter in more than 80 years.” When prolonged darkness happens many feel the desire to “be like bears.” To curl up on the couch and hibernate until the weather becomes tolerable.

Being an optimist and a lover of all weather patterns, I have put together a list of things to do to combat the winter blues. Here are some ideas:

• Vitamin D. It is a challenge to get enough vitamin D from the sunlight in Canada on a monthly basis, meaning that in the wintertime with a lack of natural sunlight, vitamin D becomes critically important. Along with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, this supplement helps to build immunity at a time when there are so many people getting colds and the flu.
• Infrared Saunas. These saunas differ from traditional saunas as they heat with lamps to a temperature far below regular saunas. The glow lamps help with immunity, depression, improved heart health, and helps with accessing better sleep patterns.
• Sleep. As underrated as this seems, getting a restful sleep on a regular basis allows your body to recover more quickly from any minor illnesses, gives clarity of thought and brightens your outlook on life.
• Exercise. Exercise provides the body with a healthy outlet for releasing stress, anxiety and tension. It helps with food and alcohol consumption, improves mood and if done with a group allows for social interaction. If possible, exercise outside where you will catch some vitamin D and be visually stimulated by the outdoors.
• Happy Light. What the heck is a “Happy Light?” This is a device that sits on your desk or table next to the chair you sit in, and it radiates what is called “light therapy.” They mimic sunlight and with just 30 minutes daily, the health benefits are like being on a beach in Florida.
• Healthy Diet. This sounds like such a simple item, however if you reduce your intake of processed foods and focus on healthy greens, salads and whole foods, your mood will improve, health with improve and you will feel better as you move through the day.

The winter blahs are a real thing, and with a few months of darkness descending on us, it is best to be proactive and do what we can to best manage our mental and physical health during the winter. One of the things I have found extremely helpful is planning events. They can be date nights, concerts, hiking with friends or dinner parties. Having events on your schedule to look forward to gives purpose to our weeks and allows us to look forward to doing fun things that bring us joy. Many times, I have found that the anticipation is as soothing as the event itself. If you plan some fun events, before you know it the end of February will be with us, and the sun will be shining with snow melting and spring on its way.

Another good idea to help manage the darkness is to buy a home. The spring market in Durham region begins toward the middle of January and we all know that moving to a new home with that ensuite you have dreamt of or that double car garage will certainly make you smile and look forward to barbecues once the weather improves.

If you are curious about making a move, I can be reached at lindsay@buyselllove.ca or 905-743-5555.

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