Winter damage?

Days, months and weeks of the weather we're faced with can put even the most jovial person in a funk. But a trip to the salon, spa or massage therapist can change your outlook. And, with any luck, the new, improved and revived you will soar happily through the remainder of this season's snow storms and right into spring.
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Beauty of Maine

Buying local is all the rage these days, and here in Maine it's easy to extend this philosophy to personal care products. We've all heard of Tom's of Maine, the natural products superstar which was bought by Colgate-Palmolive in 2006 and retains it's Kennebunk manufacturing plant.
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Staying active in Winter

Procrastinators revel in the winter. What better reason to ditch the morning run or bike ride than that cold, slippery, unwelcoming snow? It's like Mother Nature herself is saying, "Oh, you don't want to come out here. Stay inside where your wool socks and Irish coffee can keep you warm and safe."
But there's plenty of outdoor activity going on in Greater Portland to keep your heart rate elevated and you enterained all season.
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From the experts

What advice do you have for people who just can't get themselves mentally motivated to get physically active in winter?
Hire a coach. Having a trainer or coach to hold you accountable for your lack of action or newly inspired routine really helps. A coach is a great source of fire under your feet. Sure, it is an investment of time and money, but the payoff is a more inspired, more successful you. Just like school, the tools you take away from your coaching experience will be with you forever and never go down in value. I have more than five years of experience in being coached and I know what to look for. For help finding a coach, email drj@drloujacobs.com.
- Dr. Lou Jacobs

What foods, herbs or spices can you use to make it feel like summer even in a snowstorm?
A tiny bit of Thai hot sauce, like Srichacha, will kick your chili into New Hampshire, inflame your buffalo wings and perk up your otherwise dreary marinade. Hot peppers contain both antioxidants, for immune support in winter, and capsaicin, which is a topical anesthetic (used in muscle rubs.) Capsaicin will also trigger endorphins, as in the runner's high, so you'll feel like you spent the day on the beach instead of in a snowbank. Look for brands that come without preservatives or MSG and refrigerate it, though it's hard to imagine anything nasty living for long in one of those bottles!
- Susan Fekety

Winter and depression seem to go together in Maine. This year we can add the economy to the downer list too. What advice can you give to help people look to the positive and improve their mental health?
Don't get bogged down by what is going on outside of you: remember, nothing is constant except change. Tired of the winter darkness? We have almost an hour more of daily sunlight than we did five weeks ago. Celebrate the light, and explore nature's ever-changing landscape. Take a walk and find one new thing each day. A bird's nest, a snowman, tree branches beset by icicles: anything is fair game. Record what you find. Take a picture. Write it down on your calendar. Share it with your friends. Delight in what life has to offer! Start now!
- Dr. Lisa Belisle

What's the best way to protect your lips when participating in outdoor winter activities?
It might feel good for a couple of minutes, but licking your lips dries them out even more. Your lips don't have oil glands, and every time you lick you wash away the oil which migrates from surrounding facial skin. Plus, saliva contains a mild acid that can irritate cracks. Look for products without any artificial chemicals, beeswax for protection and aloe for soothing relief. Antioxidants and essential fatty acids (primrose oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil) are helpful too. Watch out for products with any ingredient that sounds like silica: these are tiny crystals that cut open your lips to give that "tingle." But these cuts just dry out your lips even more.
- Dr. Sean McCloy