January Winter Blues

January Winter Blues

Anna Victoria / Nature’s Nook

Fine Feathered Friends… and helpful ones too!

Here we are in January. The excitement of all the holidays is long over, we are all back to our normal routines at work and school, our daylight hours are diminished, and the ‘winter blues’ start to set in.

The sun has an amazing effect on everything. Right down to how it nourishes our bodies. I’m quite certain many of us know vitamin D deficiencies can occur without proper sunlight. Did you also know that it is been scientifically proven that some people suffer even further mentally with a lack of sunlight in their lives? It’s not just the vitamin D we need. We need the sun. Period. Everything needs the sun.

Sadly, during Wisconsin winter months, the sun is does not show its warm, bright face very often and we all suffer for it. Some, more than others. Hence the term (or slang) winter blues. Another term for this feeling is S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to Collins American Dictionary, S.A.D is a condition resulting from the changes in the body’s level of the hormone melatonin. The levels vary seasonally: it is Higher in the Winter, and Lower in the summer when increased daylight inhibits its production. The main symptoms are Tiredness and Depression.

There are several suggestions recommended to help yourself during this sun deficient time. Light Therapy, Vitamin D Supplements, Exercise, Meditation, take up a winter activity… the list is long.

For most of us, finding additional time or energy to even attempt to fight the winter blues is exhausting to even think of! Here’s one solution that has helped my family over the years as Northcentral Wisconsin Residents. Birdfeeders. Lots of them! Suet feeders, finch feeders, tube feeders, you name it! Wherever you can find room to hang or place a feeder, do it. The rewards are endless! Highly beneficial to our fine feathered friends, and to our environment.

Ever wonder how those little bity tiny birds like Juncos, Chickadees, Finches, and numerous others survive during our Winters? The wind whipping their little feathers up exposing only lightly covered skin underneath. Trying to fly through gusting winds or hang on for dear life must be exhausting. They rely on food sources to fuel and heat themselves. By providing feeders, you are giving them a helping hand and a better chance at survival.

Here’s where it gets even better. Not only are you helping mother nature, you are helping yourself as well. With a bit of research, (stimulation) minimal investment for feeders and seed, (less than 25.00) and a bit of time setting them up, (needed exercise) and voila! You are ready to enjoy the sites and sounds to help your winter blues.

The vibrant colors from the several varieties of woodpeckers, the small little Downy to the Large Pileated as photo’d, are sure to boost your serotonin levels. Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Waxwings add to the array of colors and excitement. Watching them work at the suet feeders or crack open the black oil sunflower seeds can be mesmerizing. It is essentially eye candy for your brain, and food for your soul.

If you’d like further information on our Fine Feathered Friends, or if you would like to get started feeding birds in your own backyard, feel free to contact me either via email or comment. I would be happy to share what has worked for us in our unique Northwoods.

Contact Anna at annavictoria@gillettnews.com

You may also enjoy:

• Interesting Wisconsin Terms, or “old-school” Sayings… (Natures Nook)
• A Time to Rest (Natures Nook)
• Recent Updates & Announcements
• Gillett News EXCLUSIVE Interviews