| Winter Topics |
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Now we get down to the serious business of winter. For some of us, being up here by
the 49th parallel, winter is a strain on our already stressed nerves. Whether it’s a case
of the winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, we have a hard time functioning
with calm and happy spirits.
Let's look at the situation from 4 different approaches: attitudes, nutrition, exercise, and
outside help.
The days are darker, nights longer, and it’s hard to get motivated to be active. In many
traditional cultures, this is not the time of year to be active. Instead, now is the time to
plan, now is when we can recharge and have family time. Time to gather round,
reconnecting with loved ones, revitalizing relationships, reflecting on the year past and
planning forward. So go with the flow, and the flow right now is low. Plan more time
to rest, plan to do fewer things, sleep a bit more, maybe even eat a bit more (just
watch the sweets).
Good foods to eat in the winter season are foods that are slow roasted or braised.
These dishes warm us inside and out. The oven roasting can warm the kitchen; the deep
roasted flavors warm us inside. The northwest has an absence of light in winter, but we
have a bounty of other things. Great salmon for example. Try this menu; Salmon, oven
roasted winter veggies. Sautéed greens. Not your thing? How about a nice chowder with
Manila clams from Taylors' seafood, Skagit potatoes, a nice loaf of Breadfarm sourdough
bread to warm your soul?
Exercise is key to good health, winter or summer. In this time of short days, getting
outside is very important, Fortunately we get these great sun breaks, and while we can't
schedule them, we can try to fit our schedule around them. So, when they happen, get
out and take a walk, breathe some fresh air. Some studies have shown that an hour of
daylight even on a cloudy days can help shift the winter blues. Light box therapy may
assist those of us who cannot get outside enough, or who may work indoors under
artificial light.
If it’s a deeper problem than just re-adjusting expectation and attitude, a little outside
help can go along way. Our area has a bounty of care providers, mainstream and
preventive. Seek out what suits you best. Most preventive medicine providers can use a
wide range of techniques to help you.
Preventive medicine is about planning, being proactive, while at the same time dealing
with the here and now. So when you talk with your PM provider, work on the winter
blues now, and get a plan in place to implement for next fall so next winters transition is
smoother. While you're there, look forward. Do you suffer from allergies in the spring
and summer? Now is a great time to build the immune system, especially if you suffer
from spring time allergies. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
the 49th parallel, winter is a strain on our already stressed nerves. Whether it’s a case
of the winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, we have a hard time functioning
with calm and happy spirits.
Let's look at the situation from 4 different approaches: attitudes, nutrition, exercise, and
outside help.
The days are darker, nights longer, and it’s hard to get motivated to be active. In many
traditional cultures, this is not the time of year to be active. Instead, now is the time to
plan, now is when we can recharge and have family time. Time to gather round,
reconnecting with loved ones, revitalizing relationships, reflecting on the year past and
planning forward. So go with the flow, and the flow right now is low. Plan more time
to rest, plan to do fewer things, sleep a bit more, maybe even eat a bit more (just
watch the sweets).
Good foods to eat in the winter season are foods that are slow roasted or braised.
These dishes warm us inside and out. The oven roasting can warm the kitchen; the deep
roasted flavors warm us inside. The northwest has an absence of light in winter, but we
have a bounty of other things. Great salmon for example. Try this menu; Salmon, oven
roasted winter veggies. Sautéed greens. Not your thing? How about a nice chowder with
Manila clams from Taylors' seafood, Skagit potatoes, a nice loaf of Breadfarm sourdough
bread to warm your soul?
Exercise is key to good health, winter or summer. In this time of short days, getting
outside is very important, Fortunately we get these great sun breaks, and while we can't
schedule them, we can try to fit our schedule around them. So, when they happen, get
out and take a walk, breathe some fresh air. Some studies have shown that an hour of
daylight even on a cloudy days can help shift the winter blues. Light box therapy may
assist those of us who cannot get outside enough, or who may work indoors under
artificial light.
If it’s a deeper problem than just re-adjusting expectation and attitude, a little outside
help can go along way. Our area has a bounty of care providers, mainstream and
preventive. Seek out what suits you best. Most preventive medicine providers can use a
wide range of techniques to help you.
Preventive medicine is about planning, being proactive, while at the same time dealing
with the here and now. So when you talk with your PM provider, work on the winter
blues now, and get a plan in place to implement for next fall so next winters transition is
smoother. While you're there, look forward. Do you suffer from allergies in the spring
and summer? Now is a great time to build the immune system, especially if you suffer
from spring time allergies. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.