It’s that time of the year again when the winter blues starts creeping in. We’re experiencing shorter days and longer nights in parts of Canada, which means it gets dark pretty early and when you wake up at 5 a.m. its still not yet bright outside. This usually lasts for about six months every year. Altogether, it can put a damper on one’s mood and it happens at a very subconscious level that its hard to even notice. After all, when the sun is shining outside we instinctively feel brighter and more energized for the day than when its not. So, remember, when you start feeling sad and down in the winter for no specific reason, it could be the change in weather that’s causing your low mood. Note that winter blues is very different from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a more severe form of depression. That said, there are things you can do about it. Here are some self-care activities that will help you to beat the winter blues. You can try one of these ideas or a combination of them for the additional benefits.
Invest in bright lights
The way that your home or living space is lit has a huge effect on your mood during the winter. If you’re prone to winter blues, you will want to invest in bright lighting that mimics the sunlight. Most times, I find that cool (white) lights are great and they work better than warm (yellow) lights to elevate the mood. However, pay attention to your own tastes and preferences when selecting desired lighting. You can then switch these lights on during the day when its gloomy and if there’s not a lot of sunlight coming through the windows. Speaking of windows, if you have a lot of them at home, try opening the curtains every morning to let the natural light in and wait until it gets dark to close them. By so doing, you will be sure to get enough light to boost your mood.
Move your body
One of the best things you can do for yourself in the winter is move your body, especially because its a season when most people don’t get a lot of movement. The feel-good endorphins that get released whenever we exercise are totally worth it. To help you with this, you can start with small actions and work your way up to big ones. Firstly, get a step counter or pedometer that counts the number of steps you take in a day. There are many free apps available via the Google Playstore tha you can download onto your phone and it counts your steps or you can invest in a smart watch if you have the resources for it. Once you have it, aim for at least 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day in order to reap the optimum benefits from your movement. Over time, you can incorporate other types of exercise such as aerobics and strength training.
Take some vitamins
Not every circumstance requires medication or treatment but they are helpful for certain situations. Talk to your doctor about taking vitamins for balanced health. It turns out that vitamins are good for fortifying the immune system, thus helping us to fight off diseases. They also prevent us from being deficient of certain vitamins and minerals that we are unable to get from most natural sources. For example, many people resort to Vitamin D as a supplement for when they cannot get outside for enough sunshine and sun exposure. However, every person’s situation is different and you should note that this article does not constitute medical advice. You should get a sound opinion from a health practitioner.
Eat balanced meals
In tandem with taking vitamins, eating good and balanced meals is helpful for ensuring the body is functioning properly and getting all the nutrients it needs for the long and dreary winter season. At this time, you should incorporate more fruits, vegetables and fibre into your diet. Do a search for what types of produce is in season and try some new recipes that can add variety into your diet. It is a good idea to stay away from too much processed or packaged foods that do not add any nutritional value to your diet. Whole foods are great-tasting and almost always better for your health and vitality. Try different food groups in balanced portions but avoid over eating. In winter, the body tends to crave starchy comfort foods and sweet snacks. By balancing your meals, you’ll ensuring that you don’t fall into unhealthy eating habits. And finally, don’t forget to hydrate by enough drinking water while avoiding too much sugary drinks.
Indulge in music therapy
Finding yourself in a low mood. Turn on your favourite music playlist on Spotify or YouTube for some positive vibes. Upbeat and inspiring music can help trigger happy thoughts and joyful memories. You will want to avoid sad music or tunes with negative lyrics at this time. This will help ward off any bad emotions and generally, can keep you feeling in a good mood. Depending on the setting, loud and boisterous music is not always appropriate. That’s okay too. You can listen to nature sounds or instrumentals to take the edge off a particularly stressful or depressing moment. Feeling adventurous? Try some lo-fi music, which is helpful for listening while doing other things at your home office. It just plays in the background while you work and study.
Engage in talk therapy
Have you ever heard the saying, “ a problem shared is a problemhalf solved?” Well, what it means is that sharing with someone can help things to feel less stressful and overwhelming. The same applies to our feelings. Sometimes, it is as simple as picking up the phone and calling a trusted friend who can talk to us and offer perspective, while some people prefer to speak to a therapist in a structured way. At times, the conversation doesn’t even have to be about your issues. It could just be an informal chat with your friend to catch up on life updates and what has been happening on both ends. Whichever format you choose, the most important thing is to make sure you are speaking with someone who has your best interest at heart
Have a social life
Having a thriving social life does cost money but it does not always have to be expensive. Sure, it takes resources to always hangout at restaurants and to pay for movies etc., but you can also explore free things to do with others that don’t come with a price tag. Activities like walking in the park, having an at-home dinner, reading books from the library, adult colouring or scrapbooking and joining a knitting club usually cost next to nothing at all. Start by organizing a small group of people and make a commitment to meet regularly, either online or in-person for a shared social activity. You can start with your friends. If you don’t currently have any friends, you can make new ones by attending events and groups through MeetUp.com.
Get professional help
When all tips and ideas fail, you can always get extra help from medical professionals. We all go through difficult times and during these moments, the help can be a life-saver. The fact that you need the support doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It just means you care about being well. It is always a good idea to get help early before a potentially negative situation gets too far along. Thankfully, various communities have various supports and helplines where you can call and talk to someone who will either help or refer you to someone who can. If you are in Canada and experiencing a mental health crisis or would like to speak to someone about accessing the right type of service help for your situation, then you can call HERE 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247.
I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!