mood boosters.

Now that the holidays are over and we still have about 3-4 months left of the snow (never know in MN) it's hard not to feel like the Grinch at times.

Here are some easy things to do to keep your spirits high for remaining months of winter:

1. Work out. Its a way to stay healthy and have a better body, but it has great mood and energy boosting benefits too! 
2. Eat a healthy breakfast. I know most of us are racing for time in the A.M. but even something as simple as a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a handful of berries works. It will give you enough energy to make it through lunch and keep your mood happy! (a doughnut is not a healthy breakfast!)
3. Eat a happy meal. (not from McDonald's) Make time for healthy snacks later in the afternoon. This boosts energy and your mood. Make sure it's something healthy and not packed with sugar. Foods that are high in sugar only give you a boost of energy and will make you more down in the dumps after. 
4. Take Vitamins. A great multi-vitamin will boost your body's antioxidant level keeping you happy and healthy while helping overall brain function. It's been proven that while taking vitamins on a regular basis people have reported back feeling elated, clearheaded, confident and energetic.
5. Get a great nights sleep. Lack of a great nights sleep has major effects on your mood and level of concentration. We have become so used to getting less and less sleep that we aren't even aware of the effects anymore. Try sticking to a routine bedtime and waking schedule. 
6. See the light! The days with enough light are gone and forces some people to stay inside and bad weather doesn't allow us to see the sun much anymore. This is when people begin suffering from "seasonal depression" or feeling "blah." You can easily jump into a tanning bed for 10 min. to boost your body's energy and mood level.
7. Get social. Get out and about. Hang out with your friends. It's proven to be an instant pick-up! 
8. Have a relaxation break. Take time out for yourself. This could be whatever you prefer. Reading a book, doing a yoga class, sitting in your favorite chair with the lights down...whatever it takes to make you happy and relaxed.
9. Take a breath. This goes along with #8. It's been proven that deep breathing is one of the fastest tension busters. It lowers levers of hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. Sit up straight, take long, deep breaths and focus on your newly relaxed feel your body has been given.
10. Look on the bright side. Try seeing things from a new light a.k.a. the glass is half full vs. empty. Not everything can work out, but when you begin looking at things in a negative way, stop yourself and most of the time its not all that bad. Try examining the situation from the outside. over time, you might start realizing you have it pretty well and things in your life are really not that bad.

I know these are all simple things, but can be overlooked throughout daily life. With the new year starting, people begin evaluating their lives and what they want to accomplish (resolutions). Take some of these into consideration for a New Year's resolution and see how your mood and life will only benefit.