Every year, without fail, everybody here in the lovely state of Minnesota run to their homes and cower in fear over the unwelcome presence of this angry, cynical woman. Wreaking havoc on our lives, she forces us into our homes and makes us bow down to her horrible rule over our lives, as we beg and plead on our HANDS AND KNEES FOR HER TO BEHAVE RATIONALLY AND FREE US FROM OUR PRISONS THAT ARE OUR APARTMENTS!!!

…Sorry, I’m a little emotional from being inside for 3 months.

If you were wondering, the woman in question is not your mother, grandmother, stepmother, or biology teacher, but Mother Nature! This time of year, as opposed to her usual beautiful and splendid demeanor, she blasts some Taylor Swift and proceeds to dole out negative degree weather, blistering winds, and slippery roads all in, what I imagine to be, a grand scheme to punish the world for wronging her (I don’t know who did it, but thanks for screwing it up for all of us, buddy). In these trying times, it is easy to let the cold weather bring one down psychologically, resulting in feeling tired, unmotivated, and even a little depressed. This condition is refered to as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

(Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say on Seasonal Affective Disorder if you would rather read what a professional has to say on this.)

Luckily, we don’t need to go grabbing our pitchforks and torches just yet because there are less violent ways to ward off Mother Nature. Although therapy is an option in clearing up this nasty condition, in my unprofessional opinion, I feel EXERCISE is the best way to pull yourself out of this awful slump. Now for those of you that didn’t immediately leave the page after hearing that dreaded word, exercise improves body image (through weight loss and muscle toning), boosts energy, increases blood flow, improves immunity, and reduces stress!  (Personal trainer Nicola Glanville can tell you more about the benefits of exercise).

So lets get up and get moving folks! Mother Nature can’t keep us down for long. I’m already starting.