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CTC Readers' Poll:
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I live in an area of the
country that gets very hot for four or five months
every (L-O-N-G) summer. That gets really uncomfortable
and tiresome -- it's even boring knowing that the
weather won't really change very much for months!
I imagine that someone who lives in a climate with
long, very cold winters feels the same way about their
climate.
Anyway, I really enjoy winter because of the changeable weather. I love rain, we pray for snow (an extremely rare occurrence), and my whole family enjoys looking at the beautiful clouds, at the snow-covered mountains we can see in the distance, at the many birds which winter in our area, at how bright the colors of the earliest spring wildflowers seem on a gray, cold day.
So my real challenge is
dealing with depression in the summer! 'Will
this heat never end?' is a common question around
here. Maybe strategies that I use to keep going
are similar to strategies that other people could use
in the winter.
1. I spend a lot of time indoors with a small fan blowing right on me, drinking iced tea, reading a good book. For bad winter weather I recommend a crackling fire, a colorful quilt, and of course, a favorite book! 2. I often take a walk with my husband in the early morning (about 6:45) before he goes to work -- it's usually nice and cool then. I suppose in really cold winter weather I'd go out in the afternoon and do something strenuous for a short time, just to get some fresh air and re-energize myself. 3. I never turn on the oven in the summer -- all of our meals are salads or something I can prepare on the stovetop or in the microwave. In a really cold climate I'd probably do a lot of baking -- surely the warm fragrance of homemade bread must cheer up anyone! I'd probably also have a yummy, hot pot of soup simmering on the stove all day. 4. My
family occasionally enjoys going out for frozen yogurt
on a summer evening. The shopping area we go to has a
very pretty, large fountain which we enjoy sitting
near, especially if there is even the tiniest cooling
breeze. In a long, cold winter, maybe we would find a
homey cafe or coffeehouse where we could enjoy
after-dinner coffee or hot chocolate and talk
over the experiences of our day.
5. I am always thankful when September comes,
because I know there will be only a few more weeks of
really hot weather. I count the days! Maybe in a very
cold climate I would feel the same way about March,
and I would celebrate spring even though it was still
several weeks away. Count the days! Buy some
flowers at the grocery store, look over last year's
spring clothes and see if you need to add or replace a
few garments, clean out a drawer or a closet to create
more space in your life, stretch and take deep
breaths, look carefully at God's creation for those
first tiny signs of spring, be thankful!" ~
Anonymous
"I have had to
guard against getting the blues ever since I became a
younger widow still raising children. I make sure I get
out of the house every day. I take a walk no matter what
the weather is like. That does more good than I can
express. I keep my house 'sunshiny' by keeping the
curtains drawn open and light paint colors on the walls.
I have full-spectrum bulbs in my fixtures as studies
have proven this helps S.A.D. (Seasonal affected
disorder) Although I don't really have that, I figured
it doesn't hurt. You can get those in fluorescent to
save on energy bills. I try to keep flowers in the house
in a bouquet. I buy them at the discount warehouse in my
town and I have found that carnations can last almost a
month if you change the water weekly. This bouquet makes
me feel lovely inside and thankful for such beauty in
our world. I have taken care to keep my house clean as
nothing can be so depressing as a messy house. A clean
house really feels good. These are all simple things but
added together it makes a big difference. One more
thing, I keep uplifting bible verses by my bedside table
to read to keep my attitude right." ~ Julia
"We
have long winters in Alaska,
with our shortest day being
about 6 hours
from sunrise to sunset. I've
found a few strategies to keep
the blues
at bay during those cold, dark
days.
"This
winter learning to knit
really helped. Going outside
no matter the weather, no
matter how briefly always
helps. I have a small farm
and the animals must be
cared for twice a day
so I am outside that often.
Exercise! Cleaning out
those stalls and chicken
coops! Getting the blood
flowing really makes a
difference. Cooking and
baking. Filling the house
with wonderful smells
soothes the spirit.
When I am really starting to
feel the need for spring God
always sends a little
hint my way. Every January
the song birds start to get
more active and some of the
migrators, the first ones
travel back onto our farm!
The seed catalogs always
make me feel better!" ~
Sandy
"You asked for tips on dealing with the 'winter blues'. I live in the Pacific Northwest and our winters can be very gray. I tend to get depressed due to lack of sunlight. Here are some things that help me when I am feeling down. 1. Daylight. If the sun comes out, go outside or sit near a sunny window. Even a few minutes in the sun can make a big difference. 2. Exercise. I try to take a half-hour walk outside every day. If I can't go out, I do some exercises indoors. It's also fun to put on some lively music and dance around the living room (this is a lot of fun with kids, too). 3. Nature. Even in winter, it can be nice to visit a park, a lake or river or nature trail. 4. Wear bright colors. I have a bright green scarf I wear on dreary days, and it always cheers me up. I also have some brightly colored t-shirts that I make a point to wear regularly in the winter. 5. Make a 'happy board'. You can use a bulletin board or even a piece of cardboard. Cover it with photos, drawings, pictures cut out of magazines, drawings, inspirational sayings, etc. Place it somewhere where you will see it often. 6. Make a big pot of hearty soup. Eat with crackers or bread for dinner. This always makes me feel better. 7. Take a bath with Epsom salts. Relaxing for mind and body, and a great way to end the day." ~ Tina "I
tend to get depressed in the winter. In
North Dakota, the wind chills and
frequent snow storms prohibit a lot
of outdoor time, so being stuck indoors
can make the walls start to close in. I
cope with it by keeping busy with various
projects. Since we moved into a new home
in December, this winter has been
chock-full of home improvement projects;
everything from laying new carpet,
creating new art from my daughter's
beautiful trip photos and painting. I
also have an idea folder for future
projects that give me something to look
forward to. At the top of my list is
resurfacing our kitchen counters. I am
almost ready to begin researching
companies and prices. We just have to wait
for our tax refund to see if it is enough!"
~ Shaunna "I live in the Pacific Northwest, where there isn't usually much snow, but there is rain and gray skies for about 9 months of the year. That can be very depressing, especially in winter, when there is even less light. But my key to surviving it is to get outside for at least 30 minutes every day, no matter what the weather. That way I am absorbing some natural light and getting some fresh air. Plus, since I walk at 3.75mph, I have lost 30 pounds!" ~ Sandy "I am an Ohio grandmother. Ohio is NOT known for an abundance of sunny days and so the blues is a common malady here. My sure fire remedy is to check my 'others' quotient: What am I doing to encourage others? Writing notes of encouragement (yes, snail mail!) to friends, relatives or acquaintances, baking for friends who may not have tasted a real homemade cookie in years, preparing a meal for someone at church who is going through a rough time, doing errands for a shut-in, offering to walk a neighbor's dog...and the list could go on. The more 'others-centered' I become, the less time and energy I have to give way to the blues! The Ohio skies may not be sunny, but my disposition can be!" ~ Linda "My
husband and I do several things to combat
cabin fever. We are both outdoors people,
but I don't like the cold all that much,
meaning it's harder for me to enjoy being
outside in truly frigid weather. However,
being outside is just the thing we need to
feel refreshed in the middle of indoors
season. Even in the hardest of winters,
there are bound to be warmer, sunnier
days, and calm, beautiful days after a
fresh snow. These are the times my husband
and I love to get out for a quick hike or
visit to the riverside to look for
wildlife. Seeing animals frisking about in
winter helps put our troubles in
perspective, and it's great fun. On New
Years' Day, we hiked in a local park
covered in fresh snow, and there was no
one about. It was a great time and the
cold was worth it--especially when we
returned to a hot crockpot meal! Other
things we do include snuggling down for an
evening of tea or cocoa and good books,
and plan trips for the warmer seasons."
~ Colleen "This is big for me, because I crave lots of sunshine (but not excessive heat!). A biggie is a nice fire in the woodstove. Mine has a glass door, so I can watch the flames. It warms my body and soul. Also outdoor exercise, especially on sunny days, but even on the overcast ones. If you can exert enough to release those endorphins, it helps. And dark chocolate (in moderation of course!)." ~ Robyn, AZ
Editor's Note: Thanks to these readers who took time to write! |