Do these cold winter months make you blue and depressed? The weather can influence your mood and usually the cold winter months can bring on a form of depression. The most common form of this disorder is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where people with typically normal mental health are affected by the weather. Here are the top ten tips we have to help beat the winter blues.
1) Enhanced Lighting – The decreased daylight hours in the winter can take its toll, so it can benefit your mood to add extra lighting to your home and office. Use as much natural light as possible by keeping the blinds open, but adding artificial lighting, like lamps, is also going to help.
2) Make Sure to Get Your Beauty Sleep- The dry heat that keeps our homes, cars, and offices warm can also make us sleepy. Do your best to avoid this by getting enough sleep each night so you feel well rested during the day. Also, sleep helps build our immune system so we don’t get worn down during the season as well.
3) Eat Right- People tend to turn to comfort foods during the colder seasons. Make sure that you are still eating nutritiously in order to avoid settling into bad habits.
4) Exercise Regularly- The cold weather shouldn’t be an excuse to not stay active. If you can’t go outside because of the weather, join a gym, or find a workout video or video game to do at home.
5) Take a Winter Vacation- Whether you head to somewhere warm or just get away to somewhere fun, a vacation is going to lift your spirits.
6) Plan Events at Your House- There doesn’t have to be a birthday or holiday to have a party. Being around friends and family can boost your mood, as well as inspire you to do some spring cleaning and baking.
7) Journal/Read- Take time while you are getting warm under that blanket to read a book. Escaping to another place in a book, or even writing your feelings down in a journal, are great ways to avoid the winter blues.
Spice Up Your Love Life- Spend time talking and listening with your partner. Come up with fun plans for the future, like trips or home remodels, or start reading a book together.
9) Avoid Excess- Whether it is eating, sleeping or lounging; make sure you don’t overdo it. Maintaining good habits is just as important as practicing moderation.
10) Yoga/Mental Exercises- Take time to learn yoga poses or meditation mantras that helps to empty the mind and loosen your stiff muscles. Take the quiet moments to strengthen mental health.
What tips do you have to fight the winter blues?
About the Author
Brandon Mercury is a writer for InGoodMeasure.net. He grew up on the beaches of the Deep South before moving to the mountain tops of Salt Lake City. He focuses his writing on home improvement and interior design topics. Brandon is an avid football and basketball fan. You can find Brandon on Google+
