Beating the winter blues

[Photo provided to Shanghai Star]

Health tips to lift spirits in the gloomy winter

More exposure to natural sunlight. Do not think that sitting in your well-lit office or home will help boost the amount of light you are getting each day. Most artificial light is many times weaker than the natural light available outdoors. So try to get out when the sun is shining.

Doing exercise. Moderate exercise such as walking, riding a stationary bike, or swimming is a great way to get started. But any activities that raise your heart rate, including daily chores, can help, especially if you can do them outdoors or near a sunny window. Yoga, jogging and Tai chi can all help lift your mood.

Create warm artificial light. Research suggests that sitting in front of a light box will give you back some of that glow. Use it within the first hour of waking up in the morning, positioning it anywhere between half a foot and three feet away from your face for about 20 to 30 minutes

Eat calorie-rich food. Do not binge because of depression. Eating more high-calorie meat and beans can also help lift your mood.

Take a vacation to a warmer place. It will give winter blue sufferers a psychological boost as they will have something to look forward to, and also a physical boost while they are away.