Guided imagery meditation is a form of focused meditation that helps create relaxation in the mind and body. It is a way of focusing your imagination to create calm, peaceful images in your mind, thereby providing a “mental escape."

Research shows guided imagery can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression and many other mental and physical conditions. Guided imagery can also improve focus, productivity, and confidence. Click here to listen to some guided imagery meditations now.

As we enter this year's winter season, stress and anxiety are especially high due to the pandemic. Even in these stressful times, there are lots of proven strategies to help boost the mood during the winter months!

Here are my top 6 tips for beating seasonal affective disorder (also known as "seasonal depression"):

#1: Get outside for at least 20 minutes a day during the winter months, especially on the milder and sunny days. This is actually extremely important because it is believed that seasonal affective disorder is caused by a reduction in light. Outdoor temperature can indirectly impact seasonal affective disorder, because people are less likely to go outside when it's cold. But temperature alone is not the cause. So if you get outside and get sunlight, the symptoms can be reduced, regardless of the temperature.

#2: Maintain your exercise routine. Don’t let your exercise stop just because it’s getting colder or the days are...