The Church of St Jude - Wantagh, New York

Beating the Winter Blues

   Aside from one blizzard and a fewsnowstorms, it seems we haven’t had too terrible of a winter. But many of usstill can’t beat the blues. Here are a few ways to make the next few weeks abit more bearable:

v   Eat comfort (andnutritious foods) – think soups, stews, casseroles; savor a little darkchocolate to beat the blues & provide some healthy flavonols. You may needa vitamin D supplement, as we can’t make it from the suns’ weak rays this timeof year (aim for 700 to 1,000IU per day, the amount most experts recommendthese days).

v   Go outside! What?In this weather – yes! Dress appropriately and go out for a walk or just amoment of reflection. Pretend you’re a child looking at snow for the first time– how it glistens in the sun, how still and quiet the earth feels, howperfectly an icicle forms.

v   Be a Long Islandtourist! Visit a museum or historical point of interest. See how the lakes andbeaches look this time of year; appreciate the tranquility.

v   Hop on a train toNYC – enjoy a show, a good meal or more museums!

v   Get some exercise –try an indoor swimming pool like Eisenhower or Echo Park. A nice swim can beinvigorating and refreshing this time of year. Go for a ‘mall walk’ with afriend.

v   Use this time tocatch up on those put-off-till-tomorrow projects: organizing photo albums orscrapbooks, corresponding with family & friends, paint touch-ups, etc.

v   Put some freshflowers in vase!

   Spring will be here before you know it(pending Punxsutawney Phil’s assessment)! Until then, I wish you peace &good health!

          Meredith Cummings, RD