EDITORIAL: Embrace the season; don't hide from it

Winter is tough in Toronto, there's no doubt about it. It takes a toll both physically and mentally, especially when it's grey and cold outside. It's not surprising then that late January and early February bring the winter blues to many residents.

Some 90 per cent of people are impacted during the winter by changes in their moods and energy levels, according to Colleen Carey at Ryerson University. Lack of sunlight affects biological clocks, leading to changes in sleeping habits while the cold often drives many indoors where they lose energy due to lack of exercise.

For most people, though, beating the winter blues simply means not letting the weather get you down. Embracing the season is the best strategy.

This being Toronto, there are no end of outdoor winter activities to get involved in from skating, to skiing to snowshoeing. If the weather cooperates, there are local options for all three of the above. One doesn't have to be an expert to give it a try, and in Toronto you can take a TTC bus to the ski hills. We have information on where to ski and snowshoe in our feature on beating the winter blues on PAGE ////.

If strapping on a pair of skis seems too much of a challenge, the solution can really be as easy as taking a walk - be it in a local park, around the neighbourhood or inside a local shopping centre. "If people are active during the winter months, they'll have more energy anyway," said Melissa Des Jesus, a Toronto public health nurse.

Also key to keeping the winter blues at bay is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and stay social. People are not bears and we do not hibernate. We need to have visits from family and friends, and go out and socialize during the winter.

A great way to do this is through the city's Winterlicious program, which offers residents reduced prices at Toronto restaurants. The program runs Jan. 27 to Feb. 9 and 175 Toronto restaurants are taking part. Eating with friends or family at a nice restaurant is a special event and helps keep people engaged and connected during these dreary months. For information on Winterlicious, please visit www.toronto.ca/special_events/winterlicious/2012

However, there are those who deal with a more serious form of depression during winter, called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, and anyone who feels they may have this should contact their doctor as soon as possible.