Beat the winter blahs

Five tips to lighten up a dark season

By Lija Kresowaty

Have a cup of tea: Turns out, your grandmother was right all along. A new study from University College London found that drinking black tea at the end of the day can greatly reduce your stress levels.
Smell the lemons: Not sure about aromatherapy? Research conducted at Ohio State University confirms that a whiff of lemon oil can improve your mood.
Crank up the tunes. A study from Penn State University found that listening to any kind of music – whether it's rock, classical or even heavy metal – reduces negative emotions and intensifies positive ones.
Count your blessings: Research shows that people who express gratitude regularly can train themselves to be more optimistic. It's a good idea to keep an ongoing list of all the things you feel lucky for – this way, you can refer to it when things get rocky.
Just dance: We all know that exercise boosts levels of the happy hormone serotonin, but that's not always enough to get us into the gym. An easier alternative: busting your craziest moves. A British study found that participating in a dance class reduced feelings of depression and anger in participants who suffered from these symptoms.

First published in GLOW