Coping with the winter blahs

Some contend that the third Monday in January is 鈥淏lue Monday,鈥� the most-depressing day of the year. (Thinkstock)

**Fewer fries, more veggies** For those of you who made that resolution to lose weight, this is a no-brainer. One nutritionist in place of the processed sugars and oils that are all too common on grocery store shelves. Cutting out red meat is another way to drop pounds, as it has been . is just one of several good online resources for vegetarian and vegan recipes. It鈥檚 also a good site for finding vegetarian restaurants in the area. (海角精品黑料/Kelley Vlahos)

Light it up One over-the-counter method of treating seasonal affective disorder is . Using a light therapy box at work or at home can compensate for missing out on that rare winter daylight. (Thinkstock)

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Close up of digital tablet screen while man working on it. Young businessman switching on tablet to start his work. Young man looking at a blank black screen of tablet. — **Digital detox** Set that iPad down for a little while. Advocates say it can lower anxiety and improve mindfulness. It鈥檚 OK. You won鈥檛 miss out on anything : Twitter, Facebook and 海角精品黑料.com aren鈥檛 going away. DISCLAIMER: As widely respected happiness experts, we caution that you should only do this after you鈥檝e visited 海角精品黑料.com several times for the latest headlines, weather and traffic information.聽 (Thinkstock)

In this photo taken April 19, 2015, people walk in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington. A record number of U.S. tourists visited Washington last year.
The city聮s tourism bureau, Destination DC, announced Tuesday, May 3, 2016, that the nation聮s capital welcomed 19.3 million domestic visitors in 2015. That聮s up one million from the 2014 total, and it shows the continuing strength of Washington聮s tourism industry after the Great Recession. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) — **Fun at the Smithsonian** Even if you鈥檝e seen the current exhibitions, there are still a wealth of things to see and do at the Smithsonian Institution. Check out an exhaustive database of exhibitions and events on the . (AP/Andrew Hamik)

The audience watches the world premier of the Imax film "The Alps" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, Wednesday, March 7, 2007. The film documents John Harlin III's ascent of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps 40 years after his father died on the same mountain. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) — **To the IMAX(s)** Another attraction at the Smithsonian is, of course, its collection of IMAX theaters: the Samuel C. Johnson, the Lockheed Martin, the Airbus (in Chantilly), and the Einstein Planetarium. There is nothing wrong with streaming corgi videos on your iPad, of course, but a crazy-big screen can serve as a welcome change of scenery. Check out listings and order tickets on the . (AP/Caleb Jones)

**Catch the Caps** The Washington Capitals are having a terrific season so far, holding their own against such NHL powerhouses as the Chicago Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. To paraphrase Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: , and enjoy the ride. (AP/Nick Wass)

chihuahua dog relaxing and lying, in spa wellness center ,wearing a bathrobe and funny sunglasses drinking a smoothie cocktail — **Treat yourself at a spa** Delicious cucumber water, that weird-yet-soothing new age music 鈥� how can you not feel better at a spa? There are several great ones in the area that offer facials and massages as well as the more exotic and . (Thinkstock)

Three cocktails in a row — **Indulge with a cocktail** If you鈥檝e been 1) eating more kale and fewer carbs and 2) hitting the elliptical frequently since 2017 began, you have our permission. Martha Stewart has some if you鈥檙e not up for an imperial pint of stout. (Thinkstock)

Side view close up of young beautiful women looking away while running on treadmill at gym — **Just exercise** You can鈥檛 argue with . A good mix of cardio and strength training not only contributes to wellness but also improves 聽your mental health and general mood 鈥� small pain, big gain.聽 (Thinkstock)

**聽Adopt a pet** Misery loves company, right? Perhaps are right for you. The and have plenty of other four-legged pals who need a forever home. (Humane Rescue Alliance)

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WASHINGTON 鈥� Some contend that the third Monday in January is 鈥淏lue Monday,鈥� the most-depressing day of the year.

While has written it off as an idea 鈥渕ainly advanced by marketers and public relations firms,鈥� there鈥檚 no doubt that the short days and low temperatures make this time of year more of a slog than, say, early May.

For some people, a dreary wintry mood might even be , a type of treatable depression.

Whether you have SAD or just 鈥渢he blues,鈥� here are some things that can help you cope with cold-weather melancholy before those cherry blossoms bloom again.

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