Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Rainy Day Blues Busters

Ugh...yet another grey day. I shouldn't complain. I know soon enough that hot Texas sun is going to be beating down and I'm going to be wanting a little of this cloud cover back. I should be looking on the bright side: lots of water in the lakes means less funky tasting water in August; all this spring rain is giving my flowers a fighting chance this year; I'm saving a fortune in sunblock! Am I feeling better yet? Not really. I'd really LOVE to see the sun. But, since that's unlikely, how about a few home remedies for the 'rainy day blues'?
  • Chocolate - yeah, now I've got your attention! According to researchers at the University of Arizona consuming chocolate can boost the brain's production of serotonin - our body's own natural antidepressant. So go ahead, eat the chocolate and feel good about it!!
  • Peppermint - it's so fresh and invigorating! It's touted by aromatherapists and holistic practitioners for it's fatigue-busting, mood enhancing effects. And now there's some 'real science' to back it up...you know, for you skeptics out there;) The Association of Chemical Reception Scientists reports that peppermint decreases anxiety, stress, fatigue and increases alertness. The study examines the impact of certain smells on drivers. They even found that peppermint reduces road rage. Is this stuff great, or what?! WebMD's got nice synopsis if you're interested. And the next time the weather's got you down, try a little Peppermint Inhalation: 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (available in the baking aisle at your local grocer) in 1 cup of steaming (but not boiling) water. You can drink it if you want - it's great for an upset tummy - but in this application you're just supposed to inhale it. 1/4 teaspoon in your hot cocoa is great too -- but it's already too hot here for that.
  • Baking/Cooking - Oh yeah, 'comfort food'. Filling the house with yummy smells and the promise of tasty treats is a great mood enhancer. We'll be baking today...with chocolate and peppermint, of course! Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies.

And if all else fails, a rousing romp in the puddles is always fun!

7 comments:

Alyssa S. said...

I vote for puddles AND chocolate :) Here in Houston it is nasty hot and sticky out...no rain..boo!

Teddy Started It said...

I feel for ya! It was so humid here last Friday I thought someone had moved Dallas to Houston! At least you get to see green all summer -- humidity's good for something:)

Audrey said...

Love the pic of the clouds!! We have cool raining weather too, it does get depressing after awhile.

qtees said...

I think your so lucky to be having rain here in many parts of Australia we are in a drought and we'd really love some of that rain! xx

Teddy Started It said...

Qtees - It was the same with us 3 years ago - the lakes were so low you couldn't even get your boats in the water. We always want what we don't have, eh? I'll be happy to send a just a little of this your way:)

LillyShayStyle said...

Did you take that photo of the rain?
I love it!

Jake & Delila said...

Yep, those are my VERY amateur pictures taken with my VER amateur camera. Every now and then, one turns out OK:)

(Jake & Lila - aka: TeddyStartedIt)