This beautiful photo is a reminder that winter is just

around the corner.

Photo Courtesy Of:

Philip Rickett

This gorgeous snow covered church is the Holy Trinity Church, Startforth,

nestling peacefully amongst the snow powdered trees.

Located in:

Barnard Castle, Teesdale, County Durham, England.

Photo Courtesy Of:

The Hutch

If you have any questions concerning any of The Hutch’s photos,

Please contact him at:

Thehutch@alwaysmarsha.com

This beautiful snow covered church can be found in

Nova Scotia, Canada

Photo Courtesy Of:

A. Watson

Dear Marsha,

My husband works during the day shift, and I am a stay at home mother of 2children both in school.  During the day while everyone is away I am finding it hard to do anything. So like when my husband gets home  he complains about me sitting around all day doing nothing. I don’t know what is wrong with me. It only seems to happen when it is cold outside. I don’t sit around all day, I sleep all day instead. I feel like I am so depressed for no real reason other than it being cold outside and I can’t go anywhere. My car is broke down, money is tight and Christmas is coming up. Since I don’t have a job I used some money to buy the kids gifts instead of fixing my car. Then if I want to go somewhere when my husband gets home he isn’t happy cause I haven’t done anything all day and he thinks I need to be home cleaning and cooking. I usually get it all done by the end of the night before bed but why can’t I get motivated during the day? Can cold weather do that to a person?

Winter Time Blues

Dear Winter Time Blues,

I strongly feel what you are going through is commonly referred to as “Cabin Fever”.  It is a form of seasonal depression.  Sometimes one can feel trapped inside their own home due to the cold weather and the shorter days, or bored of being at home all alone.   Symptoms of Cabin Fever can include excessive sleeping, irritability, forgetfulness, and urges to go outside even in the bad weather.  There are other symptoms as well that can be associated with Cabin Fever, but I think those sum your situation up well.

There are several ways that you can try to beat the winter time blues:

#1.  Take a multivitamin daily that contains Vitamin D-3.  Vitamin D is created by the sun’s rays on the skin, and therefore declines during the winter months.  Although studies on the effect of vitamin D supplements on seasonal depression have come up with varied results a good multivitamin can help boost our energy levels.

#2. Remember to eat. When one is depressed, they tend to forget to eat.  You must remember to have 3 meals a day.  Making breakfast and lunch for yourself can easily be overlooked, especially if you sleep right through it.  A complete and balanced diet can make the world of difference in how we feel each day.

#3.  Raise those blinds or open your curtains as early in the morning as possible. By letting sunshine in as soon as it rises, it helps you to feel as if the days are longer.  It allows you to maximize your daylight hours.

#4.  Find A Hobby. During the winter months, I usually find a craft to do that I enjoy.  You can paint ceramics, make ornaments, piece together scrapbooks, sew, knit, paint, or anything that will keep you occupied during the day.  I would not suggest long projects at first, because often we get discouraged that it is taking too long to finish.  Start with something small, that way you will feel proud when your project is complete.  This feeling keeps you wanting to do another.

*Another hint would be to do your hobby in the kitchen because you will find that you need or want to clean up before you start your hobby.  You wouldn’t want anything to spill on or foil your projects supplies.  Also being in the kitchen allows you to cook as you are working.

#5.  Take up an outdoors activity. By bundling up and going outdoors, you will not feel so trapped on the inside of your home.  You can join winter activities with your children as well if you like such as ice skating, tubing, sledding, or skiing.  If you prefer to do something alone and while they are away, you can do activities such as winter photography, nature observation, and perhaps making feeding areas in your backyard where you can feel obligated to go outdoors daily to give the wildlife around you their daily food.

#6. Exercise. Each morning when you wake up and before you have your first cup of coffee, do a few exercises.  Keep them simple at first.  I, myself,  only do 10 of each in sit ups, jumping jacks, arm rolls, toe touches, and a few stretches.  You will be amazed at how much better this makes you feel and it really does seem to wake you up.  After a few months, you should also start to see and feel a difference in your muscle tone as well.

#7. Play cheerful music. Simply playing music that you enjoy on a radio or cd player can help pick up your spirits.  You may find that you begin singing and/or dancing right along to the beat as you are cleaning.  You can play any music you choose because no one is there to ask what in the world you are listening to or begging you to turn it off.  Playing music also keeps the house from being too quiet which makes us feel as if we want to go back to sleep.  I also avoid television as I find that I want to sit and watch it too much instead of making use of my day.

#8. See A Doctor. If you find that nothing is seemingly working for you, then perhaps you should see a family doctor.  He/She may decide to prescribe an antidepressant that may aide in your battle of depression.  There is no shame in using an artificial aide.  After all, isn’t that what all medications are?

I would lastly like to suggest that you share what is going on with you to your husband.  Let him know that this is a real and valid issue and tell him that you are going to try to work with it but would like to ask him for his support as well.  Don’t be afraid to show him what we have written.  You can also look up Cabin Fever online to get more information for yourself and him.

Always,

Marsha