How I Took Advantage of the Winter Bluesand Found Wellness - and How You Can Too

• Citation: Vol. 49 No. 4
• Publication year: 2024

How I Took Advantage of the Winter Blues and Found Wellness - And How You Can Too Vol. 49 No. 4 Pg. 26 Vermont Bar Journal January 2024

Mark C.S. Bassingthwaighte, Esq.

Being an attorney is hard enough; but for some, it's even harder during the winter months. In part this is due to the reduced daylight, colder temps, and the stress that the holiday season can bring. So, let me be the first to acknowledge that for me it was always harder to eat right, keep up with my exercise regimen, and get enough sunshine during the winter months while living in Montana.

Truth be told, that reality was one of several reasons why my wife and I decided to move to Florida two years ago. Of course, simply moving to a warmer climate in and of itself didn't magically make the winter months any easier. All it did was give me an opportunity to make some changes. With this in mind, I'd like to share a few tips and ideas as to how you too can create an opportunity for change if you happen to be one who struggles with the winter blues. This winter, things can be different.

Years ago, one of my responses to the darkness of winter was to take on a low mood that brought about a drop in my energy level. Over time I learned that the absence of sunlight was part of the reason this would happen. If your experience with winter is similar, recognize the situation for what it is and do what I did. I addressed the problem by investing in light therapy lamps that mimicked natural sunlight, started to take short breaks during my workday to get outside to take in a little sun, and made sure my workspace was near a window in order to maximize my exposure to...