Keeping the Winter Blues at Bay

Though the days are getting longer we can still struggle with the winter blues

During the colder months many people are impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  This is a depressed mood that accompanies not being exposed to as much light as you are during the summer months.  Now while the winter solstice is behind us and each day is getting longer the sun is not up for very long and it is quite cold outside, making being in the sun a bit more difficult.  Here are a few tricks you can use to help combat SAD.

Find an outdoor winter activity.  Spending time outside can help greatly with working through depression of any kind. Moreover if we are able to be active while outside we are increasing the effectiveness of being outside. Though it is cold if we can find a reason to be out in the cold it can make the winter months much more enjoyable.

Ensure you are awake when the sun is up.  If you like to sleep in you miss out on some of the few precious hours of daylight we have in the winter. Though sleep is vitally important it might be helpful to shift your sleep schedule to one where you are ensuring you are up and moving during the daylight hours.  

Going for a walk.  Seeing the light through a window while is very helpful is no substitute for actually going outside and going on a walk. If you can go on a walk where you see trees and nature we know this has a great boost on your mental health.  A quick 15 minute walk can do wonders to help work through seasonal depression.

If you do the above and find that your depression is not letting up or is worsening reach out for help.  If you don’t know where to start with finding a therapist this blog might be a great place to start. 

Know always things change, and the days will get longer and warmer and soon enough the summer season will be here again.