If you are suffering from the winter blues then you don't need to worry because there are many ways to overcome them. The Heart Foundation has compiled a list of things to do to fight winter blues which are:

• Always wash your hands - after coughing, after sneezing, after using the toilet, before and after eating, and any time your hands come into contact with surfaces like desks, phones or doorknobs.
• Get some fresh air - in cold weather, heaters can dry out the air and your body.
• Stay active-exercise will boost your mood and exercising will also help to boost your immune system, which means you're less likely to come down with a cold or flu.
• Dress warmly - most of our heat loss during cold weather is through our scalp, so caps and beanies are very important and even better than headbands or earmuffs.
• Eat foods such as chilli peppers, hot mustard, pepper, onions, and garlic so that you can breathe easily.
• Eat homemade chicken which helps to resolve early symptoms of colds and flu.
• Get Some Sun- Sunlight is vital to human health, and if we don't get enough exposure to sun our moods and physical health will suffer. If you can go to a sunny place and spend some time in the sun, your mood is likely to improve immediately.  If the sun is not shining where you are, visualize in your mind a beautiful sunny scene. Again, just the basic outline, feeling, or even thought is enough. Feel the warmth of a sunny day and breathe deeply those good feelings all through your body until you feel full.
• Resist Food Cravings- healthy food choices like proteins, raw cheeses and fresh vegetables that will leave you feeling satisfied and well-nourished, rather than "pies, gatsby, doughnuts, etc.
• Learn something new. Start a hobby. Developing an interest in something new will make you feel good during those long winter months. Try to stay sociable and interact with family and friends.
• Wear bright colors, even if everyone is wearing dark earthy tones. Color will give you a real lift. You might be surprised at how many of your friends and family will admire you for bringing color into your life and wardrobe. Who knows, you could start your own fashion statement and trends! Dare to be different, dare to be yourself!
• Bring color into where you live. Paint a room with bright cheerful colors. Bring flowers into your home, fresh when possible, dried or even artificial ones when it's not. Surround yourself with beauty.
• Take a few minutes for yourself and ask yourself: "Which color do I need?" Then, imagine you are bathing and floating in that color. Remember that it's not necessary to see the color in vivid details in your mind; just the basic outline and feeling, even using the name of it is enough. When ready, breathe the color deeply all through your body. This short exercise is guaranteed to make you feel great.
• Feed yourself with a diet of positive news (avoid watching or reading horror, disasters, violence, crime, etc). Invite and allow love into your life. If you are alone, keep working on loving you and the rest will follow.
• Use positive affirmations to lift your mood and keep you balanced and centered. Repeat firmly twice a day:

• My body heals, clears and balances itself
• I am a free and powerful being
•  I love myself completely without condition

Say no to colds, flu and other winter illnesses. You don't have to be sick because of the season or others around you. So focus on positive words and positive thoughts, and decide to feel great this winter and all the other seasons.

For more details on winter blues click the following links

• Heartfoundation
• Harmoniousliving
• Omplace

Last Update: 27 May 2011