I don’t even know if I should classify them as “winter blues” anymore, or just the “blues” seeing as the weather in central new jersey has been anything but predictable. It’s like one of those boardwalk games you see at the Jersey Shore, aka Pt. Pleasant, Seaside Heights (YUK!) or Wildwood. Those big spinning wheels with about a gazillion numbers and odd phrases on them, where you pick which number or phrase you think it will land on? You’ve probably got about a one in a gazillion chance of actually getting it right. You might as well have tried your hand on the scheming claw machines, who know they’ve got a good grasp on the prize, but at the last milli-second they “lose their grip”. Anyway, the weather about two days ago was sunny and warm. Youthful, shirtless college boys were darting about the quad, tossing around a football while some overheating freshman girls looked on from their beach towels. In contrast, today looks like a scene from Noah’s Ark. It is cold, dark and wet.
I used to say I had seasonal depression, not knowing I was mistaking my profound hatred for mother nature’s fickle ways and my loathing for cold weather with an actual medical condition. According to the United States Library of Medicine, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition in where individuals “may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods”. Hmm… kind of sounds like someone just put a more sinister and official name to PMS doesn’t it? Whatever the case may be, during the change of seasons between fall and winter, approximately “10 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population is likely to suffer from SAD symptoms, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Three of every four people with SAD tend to be women.” Soo, yeah, about that PMS thing. Changing the season does not give you a reason to call it by a different name. Regardless of what you call it, we all may feel it at one point in time and I have come up with a variety of ways to relieve these feelings of PMS Seasonal Affective Disorder.
- Watch some Disney movies –they will make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside.
- Go run/eliptical/stairmaster/bike to “Sexy Bitch” by David Guetta ft. Akon and try not to get pumped up–it’s impossible!
- EVERYBODY FENG SHUI TONIGHT. Channel your lack of pent up energy into reorganizing your home. Tackle one room at a time. You’ll have a refurbished home and stronger back muscles!
- Try Zumba! It’s like sex for your feet. It’s addictive and once you’ll do it, once isn’t enough! (Okay, if the sex reference is too much for you, try Pringles! Seriously, you try eating just one!)
- Cuddle up with a Snuggie. Okay, I know the cult commercials look absolutely and without a doubt downright redonkulous. But these ginormous pieces of cloth are actually quite ingenious! I tried one on, it is literally a gigantic hug in the form of an oversized cloth.
- Ever wanted an excuse to purchase an hour long (stone) or body massage from that gorgeous foreign man you’ve been eyeing at your local spa? Here’s your chance. INDULGE–in the massage, not the man.
- Embrace the season! (Insert shameless plug here!) Hockey is one of winter’s oldest past-time sport. And if you live in the tri-state area, hit the Prudential Center and check out the NJ Devils for a game! They have lots of great deals, especially for college kids ($15 on College Nights!). Go to a game against the Rangers or Flyers and you’re bound to have a good time–and if you’re not enjoying the game, watch the fans, they are just as entertaining (if not more) at times. If you want a cheaper outing, try the Trenton Devils where seats on the glass go for about $30. www.devils.nhl.com
- Take a trip! Escape from the harsh nature realities of your world to somewhere warm and tropical. What else were you planning on doing with all those miles you racked up visiting your elderly family in Florida?
- Throw a party! Plan a themed party, like an ugly sweater party! Time to pull out that horrendous sweater Aunt Mary got you when you were 13, but still somehow, against all odds, happens to fit your fully grown adult body.
These are just a few of the things that can turn those winter frowns upside down. I mean who wants to be sitting on their couch watching endless re-runs of Jon & Kate Plus 8 Law & Order (SVU is my favorite!!) on USA, when they can be out shaking their booty to Pitbull in the gym or screaming at Sean Avery telling him he is a “little girl” on the ice. With the approaching winter months, I plan on doing all of the above. So if you’ve got an ugly sweater and you have no where to go with, holler at me!
Sources:
Seasonal Affective Disorder. 30 Oct 2009. U.S. Library of Medicine. 3 Nov 2009. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html
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