I need green!!!!

Yes, it is that time of year when even snow bunnies need green and I mean NEED green.  It became apparent many years ago, that although I love snow and most everything associated with it, my body needs sunshine and green stuff.  This time of year can be hard on those of us living in zones where the sunlight and green stuff is limited.  If that is the case, it could be that you struggle to keep your attitude in the good zone.  Suggestions include getting outdoors, even if it's cold.  But you can also up your intake of vitamin D.  Taking a trip to the greenhouse nearby or repotting your herbs can get you more exposure to thoughts of spring.  Keep your good feelings about winter, after all that's why we live here in the winter wonderland, but do what your body tells you it needs, too.  Take care of both mind and body and see what difference you can make in your attitude as we make it through the end of the winter and head into March.  We are currently in the third week of Anger Management at Desert Streams.  New classes are getting scheduled.  Call for details.  Tracey Tyler 269-808-1918

Just start.

A recent study asked almost 2000 women questions about their exercising, physical health, and emotional health across the years from 2001 on.  All the women had at least 10 depressive symptoms at the start of the study, ranging from moderate to mild.

Across the time frame, women who did 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 200 minutes of walking per week all improved their physical health, pain, physical functioning, vitality, and social functioning.  More improvement was shown with greater amounts of exercise, but benefits were derived from low amounts as well. 

The take away is that moderate-intense physical activity or walking can improve well-being, with most benefits being derived from more, but even small amounts result in improvement. So just start, even if it's a small amount there will be benefits!!

Just Do It!!

Yep, just do it.  Waiting until we "feel' like it, may not be the best choice.  Doing what is best for us may not always line up with our feelings.  Going for a run, getting some money saved, getting to church, or doing some volunteer work all could be activities that are good for us, but we don't really feel like doing.  But...do them anyway!  Because in the end you will feel better when you do.  It's not aways about doing things which make us feel immediately better.  Kind of like taking an aspirin and realizing that our headache will not go away immediately.  We take it and then in an hour or so we realize the headache is gone.  We don't wait for the headache to go away before we take the aspirin. So, don't wait until your down and out feeling is gone before doing something healthy.  Do it anyway...just do it!

Go ahead, mope!

Feeling like moping around?  Go ahead.  Mope.  Just don't do it for very long because it won't get you into a better mood.  Activity is what you need.  So when you feel like just laying on the couch with your head under a pillow, go ahead.  But first, put the timer on for two minutes.  Mope all you want. Wallow in your pity.  Then when the timer goes off, get your butt off the couch and take a walk around the block.  Sweep the floor.  Fold some clothes.  Shoot some hoop.  Make a salad.  Write out a letter to the editor.  But, get active.  I challenge you to see whether you feel like moping around for another two minutes when you finish shooting baskets or walking through the hood.  Even if you do, turn the timer on again and give yourself another two minute wallow.  BZZZZZZZ!  Time for moving!!