Although we don't have much of a traditional winter here in Florida, it can get quite cold and gloomy at times. A more severe form of the winter blues is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the symptoms can become debilitating. Those symptoms include lack of energy, depression, increased need for sleep, and weight gain. About 70 percent to 80 percent of SAD sufferers are women; usually they are older than 30.
Don't let chilly temps and shorter days get you down. Try these tips for staying warm and comfy during the winter.
• Get a good hat. A large percentage of body heat loss occurs from the head, so it's important to keep your head covered.
• Warm your insides with soup. Stay warm from the inside out with great soup recipes at www.tinyurl.com/makesoup.
• Eat at home. Cooking and eating at home will keep your oven and stove going, which will add extra heat to your living space.
• Exercise. What a great way to multitask - you'll get warm, take care of your heart, tone your body and increase your serotonin levels (that's the feel-good hormone) at the same time.
• Drink hot green tea. Get your antioxidants and warm your insides with green tea. Studies show that drinking green tea daily can protect against heart disease. In a study of 133 heavy smokers, drinking four cups of decaffeinated green tea daily for four months reduced the signs of DNA damage by 31 percent.
• Put down a rug or carpet. Covering cold tile or wood floors can keep your feet and the room warmer.
• Get cozy with your pet. If you have a dog or cat, snuggle up. The fur and body heat will help you stay warm, and your pet will love the extra attention.
• Try a humidifier. Warm mist humidifiers can make a room feel warmer because they boil water before expelling it into the air. The humidity does wonders for your skin, too.
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