Once daylight saving time hits, many of us take a hit mentally. For many of us, the lack of daylight marks the beginning of a long winter. Living in the northeast is challenging not only for us mentally but for us physically. Icy cold days and the lack of safe daylight has many of us indoors relaxing and often, eating. Beat the winter blues by beating the fatigue factor.

Let’s assume winter makes us all a bit dreary. Prevent that dreary onset by beefing up your energy. Implementing a behavioral adjustment, a small dose of gross physical impact and eating the right food, will help boost energy and beat down the blues.

First is changing your behavior, live by the Four-Day Failure Factor. If you exercise only twice a week and three days pass with no exercise, that forth day will feel like it is the first time ever exercising. If you exercise three days or more and never have more than three days off in a row, you will be able to feel the gains and the rewards will keep you going. Keep in mind exercise can mean stretching, yoga or calisthenics, anything that makes your body warm. Next, try a small dose of gross physical impact. Join a club for a week and experiment. Take a kick boxing, cycling or aerobics class, maybe even karate. Trying new things will help open up the possibilities to new physical challenges that you may learn to love! And lastly, eat good, clean food. Reduce you carbohydrates, i.e. breads, macaroni and baked desserts. Eat energy foods that your body digests easily and quickly like; vegetables, some fruit and plenty of; chicken, fish and turkey. This winter, no more hibernating! Leave the carbohydrates for the bears! Good Luck.