Shiver, sleep, sunshine…
5 strategies to kick
the winter blues

Hands up if you love winter.

Yeah, I don't see many hands. Sure, you've got the holidays, but then you get post-New Years depression, taxes, credit card bills, and oh yeah, crappy weather. January might be the ideal month to hibernate.

You don't have to succumb to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other downers winter blahs bring. Take control of your health and happiness with these five strategies.

1. Make your own sunshine. I live in Southern California, where daily sunshine doses aren't a problem. But if you live in a bleak, wintry climate, purchase full-spectrum lighting daily and create your own sunshine. When you awake, flip all your lights on to make your body believe it's bright and sunny. Most people aren't making enough vitamin D (even in sunny LA), so get your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels checked and supplement if you're low. Thorne Research offers a spectrum of liquid and capsule vitamin D supplements that can meet your needs.
2. Sleep in. Turn off the melodramatic Lifetime Movie of the Week and stop surfing the after-Christmas LL Bean sale. Utilize your time instead with seven to nine hours of quality sleep. (Veer toward the nine-hour side during the colder months.) A study in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry showed reduced sleep in older people contributed to depression and anxiety. (As if the bleak weather wasn't enough to bring you down...) Keep your lights dim at night, take a hot bath, and allow your body to prepare for sleep.
3. Cold, hot, repeat. Static temperature can contribute to weight loss resistance and stall fast fat loss. If you're chilly, you knock up the heat. Instead, let your body do the heavy lifting. You'll burn some calories and reduce your heating bill in the bargain. Ever notice your dog shivers during frigid January mornings? She's boosting her metabolism, so take a cue from your canine friend and shiver (don't freeze) a little bit.
4. Green tea. Skip the Starbucks Holiday Blend coffee for green tea. The EGCG boosts your metabolism and promotes fast fat loss. You also get an antioxidant punch plus theanine, an amino acid that helps create a mid-afternoon Zen-like calm. You'll need a few cups to get these benefits. If green tea isn't your thing or you aren't drinking enough, Green Tea Phytosome from Thorne Research provides a highly absorbable, therapeutic dose of EGCG.
5. Get crocked. Big entrée salads work perfectly in July, but come mid-winter you crave something heartier and warm. Crock-pots make a smart, effortless dinner when you're short on time and money. (Post-holiday credit card bills coupled with taxes can knock even someone financially stable down in January!) Toss plenty of green veggies, lean protein (leftover chicken works perfectly), lentils or beans, and fresh herbs in an organic veggie or chicken broth. You've got a hot, hearty meal with about 15 minutes of prep. Pack leftovers into a Thermos container and you also create an office-envy lunch tomorrow.we

© 2011 JJ Virgin & Associates, Inc. Celebrity Nutrition & Fitness Expert JJ Virgin helps clients lose weight fast by breaking free from food allergies. She is the bestselling author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy, a Huffington Post blogger, creator of the 4X4 Burst Training Workout & co-star of TLC's Freaky Eaters. Visit her at http://www.jjvirgin.com to take the quiz & find out if Your "Healthy" Habits are Making You Tired, Bloated & Age Faster?

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