If the cold, dark winter months are starting to drag you down, you're not alone.  Many people find this time of year challenging.  Rest assured, warmer weather and sunnier days are just around the corner!  In the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to lift your spirits. 
 
Here are 10 ways to boost your energy and your mood during the winter months. 

For an activity that yields so many benefits, walking is greatly underrated.  It's a safe and easy form of exercise anyone can do, at any fitness level is.  And you can build things up as you progress, by walking more quickly, walking for a longer period, or walking on more challenging terrain. 

For people who walk regularly, it often becomes a part of their daily routine that they look forward to.
 
If you're just getting started, or you're struggling to maintain a consistent walking routine, here are some ways to make things more enjoyable.

As people look for ways to take control of their health and wellness, dietary supplements are growing in popularity.  From eye health to gut health, supplements can serve as a valuable aid to help you achieve and maintain optimal health throughout your entire body.

Usually in the form of tablets or capsules, dietary supplements are nutritional substances that support proper functioning of all your body's systems and organs.  They may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids (the building blocks of protein) or herbal extracts. 

Interested in taking supplements to support and improve your own health?  Here's what you need to know to take them safely and get the most out of them.

You don't have to adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet to enjoy the benefits of plant-based foods.  You're probably (hopefully!) consuming some plant-based foods in your diet already, like fresh fruits and vegetables; beans, peas, and lentils; and various grains. 

These nutrient-packed foods all work to boost your health and well-being naturally.
 
Here are 10 changes you can look forward to when you start eating more fresh, plant-based foods.

There's no shortage of "experts" providing advice on how to achieve optimal health, and we naturally turn to these sources for guidance.  But what about your own intuition and self-knowledge about your body?  Do you view yourself as the ultimate expert on your body and your personal wellness? 

Perhaps you're still trying to figure out what omega-3s, antioxidants, and free radicals are all about.  Maybe you're unsure about the exact steps you need to take to achieve and maintain the best health possible.  However, even though you might not be an expert on all things health-related, this important fact remains:  you have an intimate awareness of your body that no-one else has. 

Do struggle to get a good night's rest?  Do you have difficulty falling asleep; or do you find yourself waking up repeatedly throughout the night?  Is it hard to get out of bed in the morning, because you feel tired instead of feeling refreshed and energized?
 
During the period when you're asleep, all of the systems in your body undergo a process of rest, repair, and rejuvenation.  Optimal physical and mental health depends on adequate sleep and dreaming.  If you're tossing and turning all night, you're missing out on the restorative and protective aspects of sleep; both your physical and mental well-being are compromised as a result. 

It doesn't take long for your body to feel the effects of poor quality sleep.  After just a few days, inadequate sleep leads to:

One of the great things about the human body is that it is an excellent communicator.  As you eat, drink, move, and engage with the world around you, your body responds.  If something isn't quite right, your body will find a way, whether subtly or dramatically, to let you know about it. 

This is excellent news, as it provides you with an opportunity to assess what is happening and make changes to improve the situation. 
 
One of the areas where your body sends clear, unmistakable messages to you is pertaining to your diet.  Here are 5 ways your body will let you know that your current diet isn't working for you and needs some changes.

It's human nature to gravitate towards things we enjoy, things that make us feel good.  On the flip side, we naturally try to avoid the things we find unpleasant or burdensome.

It's hard to stay motivated when you don't enjoy what you're doing.  Therefore, if you want to make exercise a regular part of our life in the long term, it makes sense to do everything possible to make your workout routine as enjoyable as possible.
 
Here are some ways you can set up a workout routine you genuinely feel motivated about, so you naturally want to stick with it.

If you're not naturally a morning person, getting your day off to a good start can be a real challenge.  You wake up groggy and scramble to get ready, only to find yourself running late as you rush out of the house.  The day is thrown off, and you're left feeling scattered, off-balance, and out-of-sorts.
 
Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.  If you feel calm, relaxed and energized, that's a huge asset in dealing with whatever the day throws at you.

What does the the perfect morning routine look like?  It's different for everyone; you need to find what works for you personally.  Here are 10 tips to play around with, so you can experiment and build a morning routine that's perfect for you!

Winter conditions can be hard to deal with.  From the grey, overcast days to the dry indoor air, it's easy to feel as if you're being hit from all angles.  The following tips will help you maintain a healthy body during the winter months.


Get as much sunlight as you can.

For many people, the most challenging aspect of winter is the reduced sunlight.  The shorter days and reduced light aren't just unpleasant; these conditions can have a very real impact on your mood and emotional well-being.