| This is the time of year when I am always | | | | aim to spend at least 30 minutes each day |
| looking for a little lift. This string of days before | | | | outside. A little sunlight and fresh air can really help |
| spring unfolds just seem to stretch on and on. | | | | to burn off the doldrums. |
| Each year, it seems, I try something new at | | | | 12. Have salad for dinner. My kids love taco salad |
| these times. Here are 18 things that have worked | | | | on crisp iceberg. Another great choice is Caesar |
| for me to lift the winter doldrums. See if any of | | | | salad with marinated chicken strips. |
| these might work for you. | | | | 13. Fire up the grill. |
| 1. Try out a new exercise - something you've | | | | 14. Get a pedicure. |
| never done before. Whether you buy a new | | | | 15. Add a few colorful accents to your home. A |
| workout tape or try the Hot Yoga class at your | | | | few new pillows or rugs can lift your spirits. |
| gym, get moving in new ways. | | | | 16. Break yourself out of your routine. Sometimes |
| 2. Try a new hair color. It doesn't have to be | | | | our feelings of hibernation come in because school |
| anything dramatic. Just ask your stylist to add a | | | | and work schedules during the winter don't afford |
| few highlights to brighten up your look a bit. | | | | many choices. And then we get stuck and a little |
| 3. Give to a new charity. With your family, | | | | burned out. Each day, change one thing in your |
| research causes that are important to you and | | | | normal routine. Call an old friend during your lunch |
| decide on a charitable gift. Whether you give time | | | | hour. Drive a new way home from work. Bring |
| or money, making a new and fresh contribution | | | | home takeout from a new place. |
| can really renew your energy this time of year. | | | | 17. Book a quick, last minute spring getaway for |
| 4. Buy something that screams spring. Treat | | | | the weekend. Ask your friends for the most |
| yourself to a new breezy caftan top or some | | | | enjoyable road trip they have taken recently and |
| sporty new sunglasses. At the very least, go to | | | | follow in their footsteps. |
| your favorite boutique and try on a few of the | | | | 18. Find a Community-Supported-Agriculture (CSA) |
| new sandals styles for spring. | | | | initiative to participate in this summer. When we |
| 5. Treat yourself to a bouquet of fresh flowers | | | | started getting involved, we began to really |
| as a centerpiece for your dining room table. | | | | anticipate the arrival of our fresh, organically and |
| 6. Test drive a convertible. | | | | locally grown produce each year, and it helped us |
| 7. Find a new fragrance. Go to the cosmetics | | | | to pay attention and to appreciate the natural |
| counter and sniff around for something light, airy, | | | | rhythm of the seasons. This is a great time to do |
| and floral. | | | | your research and anticipate the way those fresh |
| 8. Open the windows. | | | | raspberries and tomatoes will taste on your |
| 9. Get your bicycle tuned up. | | | | summer table. |
| 10. Buy a large, healthy plant for your office. | | | | How will you beckon the arrival of spring? |
| 11. Even if it's still chilly in your part of the world, | | | | |