Beat the Winter Blues this January with Mood Boosters (Plus Granola Bar Tips)

Did you know that January is the coldest month in most of the United States? When it’s cold and dreary outside it can be hard to find the motivation to do just about anything. The January blues may manifest as trouble sleeping, low energy, and feeling sad.

Luckily, there are some tips and tricks that you can try to help boost your mood. From practicing better sleep hygiene to getting your body moving, there are dozens of ways to increase your serotonin levels which will in turn help you feel better.

Mood-Boosting Tips

Consider the following things you can do to add more pep to your step on even the dreariest of winter days:

Get enough sleep: While it seems pretty obvious that lack of sleep results in feeling tired, most people still aren’t sleeping enough. Get to bed earlier and allow yourself around 8 hours each night.

Laugh every day: Laughter is the most natural way to help soothe anxiety and depression.

Take a stretch: Take a moment in the morning, or any time you’re feeling a bit stressed, to stretch out your muscles and get your blood flowing!

Engage in exercise: Exercising releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins that act as the body’s natural painkillers. The release of endorphins produces a feeling of overall well-being and can improve your mood.

Dial down the stress: Stress is infectious, so stay away from toxic people that drain your energy! When it comes to your own stress, try your best to keep everything in perspective and learn how to manage your reaction to stressful situations.

Manage your time: Don’t use up all your energy rushing around from one appointment to another. Leave fifteen minutes early when you must be somewhere, so you’ll arrive in plenty of time and have a few minutes to relax.

If exercising is one of the tools that you use to boost your mood, you are also going to need some fuel. A great way to provide your body with the energy it needs is with a granola bar. January 21^st also happens to be National Granola Bar Day, and what a perfect time to celebrate!

5 Tips for Selecting Granola Bars

Are you always on the go, but still want to make healthy food choices for yourself and your family?

If so, granola bars may be just the snack you are looking for! They are an excellent grab-and-go option for busy schedules, and there are endless possibilities! When choosing a bar, it’s important to read the nutrition label to make sure you’re choosing a bar that will properly fuel your body. Here are some tips to making sure you’re selecting the best bar:

Choose Whole Grains: On the ingredient list, the first one listed should be whole grains. Being listed first means that it is the most abundant ingredient in the product.

Look For Nuts, Seeds, And/or Dried Fruit: If the bar is not grain-based, these are other great options to look for. Nuts, seeds, and fruit add fiber to help keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy.

Choose Unsaturated Fats: Aim for a bar higher in unsaturated fats from nuts and seeds for heart health. Unsaturated fats can lower blood cholesterol levels!

Don’t let the winter blues get you down! Try these suggestions to fuel your body and start feeling your best right away!

Your Turn to Action: What is something you do to help fight off the January blues? Let me know in the comments below.