The Cardiologist's Wife

Pimento Cheese, Not Your Grandma's Spread

Pimento cheese is one of those foods that has been so corrupted by the food industry that it has become synonymous with other crappy foods like Spam. I'm not even certain what store bought pimento cheese might contain, nor do I want to find out. It's a shame because pimento cheese can be a delightful treat, even if it does Read the full post…

Plum Good BBQ Sandwiches

In a few days it will officially be fall but the temperatures are still warm enough for me to continue swimming for a few more days. The breeze was a little cool but that didn't stop me from swimming several laps this morning and I felt great afterwards! Have you exercised lately? With fall's cooler temperatures and fewer insects, you Read the full post…

Shingles Vacine and Treatment

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with shingles so I felt I should discuss this nasty virus once again. If you ever had chicken pox, you are at risk for getting shingles and believe me, you don't want it. Shingles is a painful rash with blisters that scab over and may take 4 weeks or more to heal. The Read the full post…

Vegetarian Tacos are muy delicioso!

There are times when I think I could easily become a vegetarian, especially when I try a new dish that is as good as the vegetarian tacos I had at Local Lime restaurant in Little Rock and the tofu fried rice at Sai Tai here in Jonesboro. My husband and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this past weekend by spending Read the full post…

Midyear Health Check

Summer is winding down , the year is more than half way over and our January resolutions are long forgotten. It's time for a health reality check. First of all, how is your health lately? If you have enjoyed good health, are you thankful? Take some time to appreciate how wonderful it feels to be healthy, for your family to Read the full post…

Vacation Lessons For A Healthier Life

I'm back from a lovely beach vacation and I wish I was still there with all my heart. Wouldn't it be nice if our every day life was as nice as a vacation? If we could relax, eat well, sleep and exercise just enough without having to worry about bills, work, illnesses and school, our lives would be perfect. But Read the full post…

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Beating The Winter Blues

[ Post by Lisa Tedder ][ Post on February 18, 2013 ][ In Medical and Health Information ]

Winter Scene

We are smack in the middle of the winter blues at my house. Usually I love winter and cold; cloudy days don’t affect me like they do some people. In fact, I love cold weather and feel better physically. But for whatever reason, I have a case of the winter blahs that I’d like to shake. What about you? Do you wake up every day full of energy and ready to greet the new day? Are you excited about your work and do you feel an overall positive attitude about your life? Or is stress from work and other worries dragging you down?

While studies show that people who exercise feel better mentally and emotionally, that doesn’t seem to be doing enough for me lately. Short of taking drugs or depending on alcohol to “lift my spirits”, I’m willing to try something new. I’ve been doing some reading on different but related subjects; reducing stress in your life and being a happier, more positive person. I’ve decided to try a couple of the suggestions I read. One is meditating for 5 minutes a day and the other is writing down three things each day that I’m grateful for. Now right away many of you may be thinking that is just alot of bull but sometimes you are as happy as you make up your mind to be.

So I’m going to try meditating for at least 5 minutes a day. If you’d like to try meditating, find a quiet spot where you can sit or recline comfortably. Make sure you will be undisturbed during this time so turn off the phone and make sure the kids are gone. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Take a nice, deep inhale, then exhale slowly, feeling your muscles relax and tension slip away. You can just continue focusing on relaxing and your breathing or you can think about something positive, such as reaching a fitness goal. You can pray or let your thoughts roam freely as long as you block any negative ones. Studies show that regular meditation can lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

As for the second exercise, I’m going to write down three things I’m thankful or grateful for that day. The point is to focus on the positive things in our life and shift the focus from the negative things going on. If you think about all the negative, stressful or hurtful things going on every day, all around you, it can really get depressing. Wherever you turn to for news, whether the TV, newspaper or computer, we are overwhelmed with bad news. Some studies show that people actually feel happier when they find things to be grateful for and write them down. So try to find the beauty around you, the small things that make you smile; the sun shining after a storm, a child’s happy face or a friend who calls. Try to be grateful for something different each day. It won’t make you feel better if you are thankful for your health, your husband and children each and every day. After all, it’s hard to be sincerely thankful when your kids are fighting and your husband has the stomach virus.

What do you do when the winter blues strike? I hope you find positive ways to cope instead of moping away. Stress and depression really do take a toll on your physical health so it is important not to ignore seasonal depression if it lasts for more than a few days. If you have a unique approach to happiness or a way to banish the blues, feel free to share in the comment section. Share the things you are thankful for today. I am thankful for the friendship I had with Marybeth, and my friends Mary and Peggy. They are always there for me.