How to Overcome the Winter Blues
With Winter comes holidays, parties and a chill in the air, but also the cold weather blues. Have you ever felt the blues during the Winter? The first ever Blue Monday – January 24, 2005 – was established as a marketing idea for a travel company to boost sales during the winter. Psychologist Cliff Arnall produced a formula based on factors such as weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since giving up on our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. Some argue that there’s no such thing, but there’s no doubt that this is a tough time of year and – this year’s Blue Monday – January 26 – is a great time to talk about the things that get us down and how to get back on track.
If you are among the millions who started 2015 with a goal to be healthier, Dr. Gary Foster, Chief Scientific Officer at Weight Watchers, will be available to help you beat your cold weather blues, so you can achieve your winter goals. Dr. Foster will discuss:
- How your mood affects your commitment to winter goals
- The reasons why your brain gravitates towards food for comfort
- Tips to keep you on track for your winter goals
About Dr. Gary Foster, Chief Scientific Officer at Weight Watchers
Dr. Foster is a psychologist, obesity investigator and behavior change expert with more than 160 scientific publications and three books on the etiology and treatment of obesity to his name. Dr. Foster’s research interests include the prevention, behavioral determinants, treatments, and effects of obesity in adults and children. He was previously the Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia and served as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. In his role as Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Foster oversees Weight Watchers science-based program, all clinical research initiatives, and continued program advances.
Have you experienced the Winter Blues? How did you overcome the Winter Blues?
I have definitely experience the winter blues. These are great tips. It is always important for me to make sure I am moving my body.
I enjoyed your article and suggestions on how to overcome winter blues. I always try to have something fun planned for emergencies, like a jigsaw puzzle, good book to re-read, or even building a snowman!
What a great article and tips on getting past the winter blues. I think I have the winter blues right now. I need to get myself moving.
These tips are great! This year is the worst case of winter blues I have had yet!
Good info. Great advice to get rid of the blues.
I do not think I’ve ever experienced the winter blues but I have experienced the winter lazies. It’s just too cold to move.
I always struggle with the winter blues. I definitely plan to join in on this discussion.
I tend to get the winter blues, especially in February when it’s dark and grey. Getting outside and getting some Vitamin D always seems to help me.
YES!! I think it even effects our children!! I can’t wait until spring, I love winter until Christmas and then I’m ready to be done with it!
I work during the day as a psychotherapist and Seasonal Affective Disorder is in full swing! Even the staffed seems to be impacted. Only 1 1/2 more months!
I have not experienced winter blues. But I did have a a former co-worker who did and it was significant for her.
I do get more “sad” when the sun sets SO EARLY. I am missing my 8pm Florida sunsets for sure.
I get the winter blues when we have too many cold days on a row. I start getting antsy for spring. This week is going to be that week I think,
I used to get these every year and would take a vacation to Florida when winter was at it’s worst. But now I live in Florida and no longer get them. Yay!
These are awesome tips. I find it can be easy to slip into the winter blues this time of year.