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Ways to get energy on those dreary days

Gloomy clouds cover the skies like a grey blanket, muting the brightness of the sun and the crisp summer blue.

Gloomy clouds cover the skies like a grey blanket, muting the brightness of the sun and the crisp summer blue.

It’s this time of year I find most depressing and utterly uninspiring, where the seasons are in limbo and can’t seem to decide if fall is over and winter has begun.

There are no more varied pigmented leaves to add depth to the streets, nor is there the scintillation of snow to reflect the suns rays. Crisp mornings are accented by the dim lighting, and evenings begin earlier as the darkness settles. It’s just blah.

I’m one of those people who functions with the clock.

As the sun rises, I’m up and about, doing my chores, shopping for groceries or hitting the gym.

Similarly, as the sun sets in the horizon, I wind down to read a good book or knit; more knitting now with Christmas approaching. Now that the night begins more quickly some days my brain feels like the day is over much earlier than it really should be.

It throws me off kilter, which I’m definitely not fond of.

What I’ve found over the years, is that simple solutions do help keep the brain functioning and (mostly) in order.

When you find your mind straying from the topic at hand, go for a walk and get some fresh air. Moving your body after several hours of sitting helps to get your blood flowing properly and resets your body.

If you’re stuck trying to figure something out, don’t dwell over it for hours at a time.

Think or do something else and when you least expect it, the previous concept you were trying to ascertain will appear in a “Eureka” moment.

A cup of green tea is great, but for me, an orange is a wonderful pick-me-up during these months.

The tart yet sweet scent that an orange emits when first peeled is like a breath of fresh air. From there, the juices of each individual slice are refreshingly smooth.

Each person has his or her own routine for keeping perky during this time of year, and sometimes it can even be as simple as a smile.

– Cassandra Chin is the reporter for the Grand Forks Gazette