HALIFAX -- People in storm-battered Atlantic Canada might be fixated on winter, but a psychology professor says tweeting about it isn't the best way to blow off steam.

Holly Seniuk of the University of New Brunswick says many people experience increased anxiety, depression, anger and stress during the winter months.

But Seniuk says expressing those frustrations on social media only reinforces the negative connotations surrounding winter and feeds into a cycle of negativity.

She says some people can become blind to the positive aspects of winter because of constant complaining on social media sites.

Seniuk says part of the solution for combating the winter blues is simple: put down your phone and head outside.

She says it's important to get sunlight and exercise whenever possible, and tweeting something positive about winter wouldn't hurt.