The new year has hit, and here comes the post-holiday letdown. I tend to slide into a funk in January, as many of us do. Winter transitions from being quaint and festive to simply being cold and dark. And way too long.

To fight the winter blues, I’m going to share the tips and tricks I plan to do this year via my series on Beating the Blahs over the next week or so. I hope you find some suggestions that are helpful, and we’ll be able to hang in there together.

Slipping into my funk starts slowly, but it quickly gains speed and suddenly I’m racing down into dark depths from which it is extremely hard to break free. To be honest, my slide last year started in November, and it took me an entire year to fight my way back (so yes, I only started to feel better a couple months ago). I don’t want that to happen again this year.

To a happier, healthier 2009!