Baby it’s cold outside. Winter is upon us, days are short and it can get quite cold here in Northern New Jersey. Here are some tips on helping to get and keep warm this winter season.

· Layer up: wear lots of thin layers instead of one heavy piece. It helps trap your own body heat more effectively. Opt for moisture wicking fabrics like wool and fleece.
· Move around: get your blood circulation going it will help to keep your warm.
· Use a hot water bottle: an inexpensive way to bring in some heat and comfort.
· Eat more: yes, you heard me eat more. Not only eat more but eat more high fat foods like chocolate, nuts and cheese.
· Drink frequently: winter can be very drying so it is important to stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and opt for warm hot drinks, soups.
· Do what your pets, animals do: look for a sunny spot and stop, bask in the sunlight. It will give you that warm feeling, boost your mood and provide you with necessary Vitamin D.

If you need help or are behind in paying for your heating bills whether it be oil, gas, electric, even wood please reach out to us at 973-579-1180. We have a dedicated team of professionals here to help.

We officially are in the midst of holiday season. It is important to remember that while you may be enjoying the holidays with all of its merriment, there are many people, neighbors, ones you see around town who feel especially lonely during this time.

Oftentimes, we reflect as a year comes to a close and a new year is on the horizon. Use this time to perhaps volunteer or donate to a non-profit organization. Since I have joined Family Promise of Sussex County I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with individuals from all kinds of backgrounds but all with the common goal of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. More than once I’ve answered the front door to our agency to meet a former client, who is now in a better position and wanted to donate non-perishable foods or a new toy. Pay it forward, the gesture does not need to be grand to be impactful.

So, while the year is coming to an end, I will not be talking about New Year’s Resolutions since most are broken before February. Mine too, are always the same, eat better, move more, you get the idea. Instead, I ask you to reflect and be grateful for the many blessings we all sometimes take for granted and to maybe in the New Year do something different, selfless in bettering someone else you might not even know. Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year!

I was researching events that occur in December and stumbled upon this fun fact that except for February 29th which happens every Leap Year, December 25th is the least common Birthday. I suppose that is a good thing so that you don’t have to share your birthday celebration with Christmas every year. Conversely the most popular Birthday is September 9th, followed by September19th, September 12th…you get the idea.

Of course, one’s natural inclination is to go back nine months and see why September is such a baby boom! Well, that time is right after the holidays, the stress of the season is over, company, relatives have gone home, there is still a sense of good cheer and well-being. Some felt that after Superstorm Sandy in 2012 there would be a surge in births in the tri-state area of NY, NJ and CT. Hospitals geared up for the influx which really didn’t occur.

What did occur was a psychology professor had the opportunity to track and monitor a group of pregnant women during this Superstorm. As reported in, The Washington Post, the study, Stress in Pregnancy, “published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, found that children who were exposed to Sandy, a superstorm, while in utero had substantially increased risks for depression, anxiety and attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders. The symptoms of these disorders presented when the children were preschool-age.”

While we can’t predict when a natural disaster will occur it is interesting to note that this can not only impact the mother but the unborn baby as well. When the day you were born is even more significant than I ever imagined.

What day were you born? What have you noticed or noticed in your children which can be traced to when you/they were born?

The days are getting shorter, the weather outside is frightful, many of us experience the “winter blues”. Collins Dictionary defines the winter blues “as a feeling of depression or deep unhappiness associated with experiencing the cold and darkness of winter.” The blues generally start late Fall into early Winter and last until Spring.

So, what is one to do? Here are some tips to help guide us through this “hibernation period”.
· Practice good sleep habits; try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule
· Get natural sunlight in the morning for better sleep and mood. According to Everyday Health, “Natural sunlight plays a key role in regulating mood and sleep-wake cycles. In particular, getting sunlight first thing in the morning helps tell your body it’s morning and it’s time to be awake…”
· Incorporating exercise can also improve sleep and mood. “Exercise releases natural feel-good chemicals in your brain that can boost your sense of well-being and helps distract you from negative thoughts that may dampen your mood,” according to Mayo Clinic.
· Use light therapy, I tend to light more candles in the Fall and Winter, flameless candles too can give you that cozy feeling when it’s cold outside
· Consider baking. I bake more during this time, it makes the house smell nice and welcoming. The heat of the oven helps warm the house. Here’s an extra tip when you are done baking, turn off the oven and leave the oven door open. Might as well use that energy to help warm your house!
· Catch up on books you want to read or shows you want to binge.

What do you like to do to help cope with the colder months ahead?