This morning, Ohio was blessed with an unexpected snowstorm. In my area, we have a winter storm warning. If you like winter, this is good news, but if you are like me, seventy and sunny sounds and feels much better. The Ohio winter is something I tolerate but never look forward to.

It’s not just the cold or the snow but the gray skies that leaves one with that “meh” feeling. Snow can be beautiful (but still treacherous) when the sun is shining. Sun on snow makes the world look like fine crystal, sporting a prism of many colors against a white sterile landscape. It is a sight I would miss if I lived in a warmer climate. However, most winter days in Ohio are gray, void of any sunshine.

For me, gray winter days are a source of clutter, here defined as unsettled. Gray days, especially when one is stuck indoors, can be a source of mental and physical fatigue. Isn’t it interesting that clutter can be the extreme on both ends – too much or too little?

There is a balance between stasis and frenzy. I’ve talked about “too much busyness” as a source of clutter in the mind and body. But isn’t the opposite also true? My mind is most cluttered when I feel directionless and stuck. Gloom and doom are always waiting in the wings to replace my usual upbeat self. I need movement. Simple movement feeds my mind and body even when I am not hiking or engaged in weight training. There is a saying about inactivity; stasis begets stasis. In other words, an inactive person tends to remain idle.

Folks, this is dangerous, especially as one grows older. It takes more energy to remain sharp physically and mentally. There is the loss of muscle mass to consider, the loss of balance, and, yes, the loss of mental acuity. I have no interest in being a frail and forgetful older adult if I can avoid such a fate.

Just move mentally. Do it often. Find something of interest to keep your brain healthy. My husband John is back studying physics. I write and work on art projects. Don’t settle for something rote, something you can do without really “thinking” about it. Make sure that your choices challenge you. Last year, I rebuilt the website. I didn’t even realize how much I didn’t know until I tried, but I was pretty proud of the finished project. Choose something hard and stick with it. You will be glad you did.

Just move physically. Do chair exercises. Walk up and down stairs. Use a treadmill, some simple weights, or a stationary bike if you have these. If not, you can improvise. Heft some canned goods lurking in your kitchen cabinets and make a path through your house for walking. Invest in a workout video or tune in to a workout available on a streaming network. Do whatever you can, whenever you can. And when it is possible, layer up and take that walk. That day will come, especially if you live in Ohio. We have a saying here; if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes for it to change. The sun will return, even if today looks pretty bleak.