Winter can be a difficult time for many people. First, there is the stress of the holidays. There is also loneliness for those who don’t have, or live far from, families. Add to that cold weather and shorter days and winter can be downright depressing. If you find yourself feeling low during the cooler months, you don’t have to white-knuckle it until Spring. Here are some things you can to do to avoid winter blues.
How to Avoid Winter Blues
Itโs not unusual for people to be affected by the changing seasons. During the spring and summer when the sun is shining and temperatures are warm, people are generally happier and more active. As the temperatures drop and the clock is turned back, many people, particularly stay-at-home parents, start experiencing the winter blues or something more serious called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The winter blues are caused by fewer daylight hours and having to remain in the home for longer periods of time. SAD can be like winter blues on steroids. People with SAD are often depressed to the point where medication is necessary. If you suffer from either of these conditions, take heart. There is something you can do to avoid or at least lessen the effects.
Light Therapy
One of the best things you can do if you experience the winter blues or SAD is to use light therapy. Open the shades and let as much natural sunlight into your home as you can. Sitting in the window with direct sunlight for as little as 10 minutes a day can do wonders for your mood. Of course, the more exposure you get to natural sunlight the better off you will be.
What do you do if there isnโt natural sunlight? Your doctor can prescribe a light therapy box which will mimic outdoor light. Your brain registers the difference in the amount of light it receives and this will greatly affect your mood.
Exercise Outdoors
You can take care of two problems at once if you exercise outdoors. Being outdoors will invigorate you. The sunshine as well as being active will lift the winter doldrums. Exercise causes endorphins to be released. Endorphins lighten your mood and help you feel good. If it is too cold to exercise outdoors, you can receive many of the endorphin benefits no matter where you choose to exercise.
Simply getting outdoors can break the winter blues. Go outdoors and have a snowball fight with your children. Take a brisk walk or find a hill to go sledding on. Not only will being outdoors help you, it is pretty much guaranteed to help your children as well.
Add Color
Cabin fever, often associated with the winter blues, can also be avoided if you add some color to your surroundings. Even though it looks grey and gloomy outdoors, it doesnโt mean it has to do so indoors as well. Find some bright yellow pillows to toss on your couch. You can also buy a bouquet or two of flowers or exchange your wall art for something new and colorful. It is amazing how adding vibrant, vivid colors to the room can brighten your mood.
No one likes to experience the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, they are commonplace to many people each year. You may not think making simple changes like the ones listed above will have an effect on you. However, these tips have been proven to be effective for millions; they can also work for you.
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