Staying Up through Cold Weather Blues

Today was filled with puffy, wet snowflakes making me want to go back indoors as soon as possible. I ran some errands and came home with lentil rice soup, a falafel sandwich in a whole wheat pita, and hot chocolate. I’ve been meaning to sit down and read from the growing piles of books, finish grading, and start putting a bunch of writing in the mail, but I find myself more interested in napping. The snow (any sort of precipitation, actually) is like an instant sedative for me. I’ve heard it’s the changes in the barometric pressure that sometimes get to people, but it may just be the end of a long semester full of classes, readings, and constant correspondence that is wiping me out.

Some of the things that help, let’s see: a good facial, lots of water and tea, vitamins, a good smelling oil or incense (like sandalwood), getting some exercise (even though my resistance is greater than my stamina), going to bed at a reasonable time, getting up early, eating breakfast (sacrilege to some, but I feel better when I do), not going immediately to the internet when I first get going in the morning, good stretches, turning off all the electronic devices before bed, which most times includes the phone.

I just cannot imagine not being a little easier on yourself during the holidays. It can be a hard time for a lot of people, so check in on your friends, and don’t run yourself ragged.