Dana Mears: Fake Yourself Out!

I don't know about you guys but, I get sorely depressed in the winter. Don't get me wrong, I love the pristine beauty of the snow and the change of seasons but, when the cold drops down into single digits and the sky stays gray and dark for months on end, I get grumpy and depressed. I know a lot of people that experience the same mood shifts. Most of us can't afford to high-tail it off to Belize or Cancun for a week to lift our spirits. So, here are some easy in-expensive things you can do to fake yourself into a summer day. I actually did this today and it worked wonders for my mood.

I have a Relaxation DVD of Hawaii that I got as a Christmas gift and I LOVE IT! It has beautiful scenes and music or you can just listen to the calming sounds of the waves as you watch the scenes on a continuous loop. These DVD's are available through amazon or eBay for next to nothing. I've had mine on all day. I use it quite frequently, even in spring and summer months to just "take me away". Look online and invest in a vacation at home. This is the one I have.

Give yourself a spa day at home for pennies what you'd pay at a salon. Today, I started with a long hot shower, which included - exfoliating face scrub and mask, shaving ( ladies we all know how just shaving our legs and other areas can make us feel like a new woman), exfoliating body and deep conditioning hair. Then, I applied a self tanning lotion all over, face included to give me that "sun-kissed" look. I try to never allow myself to be completely pale in winter. There is no need for me to channel my inner Nichole Kidman! Finally, I took the time to style my hair. Now, some of you might do this everyday but, since I don't work, this usually only gets done if I need go out. You can even style it in loose "beach waves" for a summer feel.

I continued my spa treatment by giving myself a manicure and pedicure. This is something I often neglect to do. I really don't know why. I guess because I just don't sit still long enough most days. My feet and hands look and feel marvelous!

Make yourself a summer or beach menu. Try a refreshing berry smoothie for breakfast. Lean back on the couch and close your eyes and listen to the sounds of the waves on the relaxation DVD and pretend your on the beach. Have a cool salad for lunch and then for dinner throw something on the grill. It won't kill you to grill a quick burger or steak or piece of fish. If you find you just can't stand the thought of being outside to grill, use an indoor grill pan or the broiler on your oven. And don't forget the cocktail! Sip your favorite summer cocktail while basking in the feel of your freshly painted toes, soft skin and fluffy hair!

If you can afford it, get a massage and make sure you to tell the the therapist to turn the heat up on the massage table! So what if you get a little damp from perspiration, just pretend you're on a table on a tropical beach some where!

Make sure to open all the drapes, blinds and curtains in your home to allow as much daylight in as possible. If you want, you can even crank up the thermostat a couple degrees to add additional warmth to your atmosphere. It's not impossible to have a great fake it day for yourself. Its fantastic therapy for the winter blues. I hope this has been helpful. Let your imagination take you away.