WARNING!
This is an older article that may not reflect Dr. Mercola’s current view on this topic. Use our search engine to find Dr. Mercola’s latest position on any health topic.
The Daily Beast offers a list of the twenty-five coldest cities in America. Here are a few of them --
Note that all temperatures are Fahrenheit
#1 -- Fairbanks, Alaska
Average winter temperature 2009: -0.6 degrees
Coldest day: -41.1 degrees, January 12
Warmest day: 48.2 degrees, March 29
Days with snow: 38 percent
#2 -- Grand Forks, North Dakota
Average winter temperature 2009: 14.8 degrees
Coldest day: -32.8 degrees, January 2
Warmest day: 66.2 degrees, March 30
Days with snow: 47 percent
#3 -- Bismarck, North Dakota
Average winter temperature 2009: 16.7 degrees
Coldest day: -33 degrees, January 8
Warmest day: 73.9 degrees, March 30
Days with snow: 51 percent
#4 -- Fargo, North Dakota
Average winter temperature 2009: 16.8 degrees
Coldest day: -33 degrees, January 2
Warmest day: 68 degrees, March 30
Days with snow: 36 percent
#5 -- Watertown, South Dakota
Average winter temperature 2009: 16.9 degrees
Coldest day: -29.2 degrees, January 2
Warmest day: 70 degrees, March 30
Days with snow: 45 percent
To see if your town is on the list, click the Daily Beast link below!
These cold temps can put a damper on your health and mood in more ways than one. For health advice related to these winter months, please see my comment below.
As for your mood, CNN Health offers several tips for maintaining a sunny outlook, regardless of the weather:
"There are simple things you can do to stay positive," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of "The How of Happiness."
"It's important to keep your mood up because it can help you avoid everything from gaining extra pounds to feeling lethargic."
Try these techniques to stay sunny all winter long -- no trip to the Bahamas required!"
Here's a summary of a few of my favorites. For the rest, please see the original CNN article:
- Winterize your workout -- consider braving the elements: Research shows that exercising outside can lift your spirits, but if the weather won't cooperate, keep a go-to exercise DVD on hand.
- Eat mood-boosting foods -- resist the call of fatty, sugary comfort fare. Highly refined carbs and sugar can wreak havoc on your blood sugar level, which can leave you feeling cranky. Some comfort foods, however, can double as healthy pick-me-ups, especially if they contain mood-boosting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, good carbohydrates (think vegetables), protein, and B vitamins.
- Socialize -- set aside some time each day for a "buddy moment," whether that's grabbing a quick lunch with a co-worker or meeting your sister for some exercise.
- Dress for the weather
- See the light -- sunlight increases your vitamin D and serotonin levels. In the winter, most northern areas simply do not provide enough natural sunlight to maintain optimal levels, so to get your fill, consider investing in a light box, which can help combat sluggishness. And any day the sun comes out, be sure to pop outside for some rays.