The winter blues may be a common phrase, but it is also a reality for a lot of people. The lack of sun, bad weather, and a variety of other factors make winter a very difficult time to deal with. If you find yourself struggling to feel happy during the winter months, there are some things you can do to combat this.
Focus More on a Healthy Lifestyle
How you treat your body has a direct correlation to how you feel. With all of the winter holidays, it can be tempting to binge on junk food or sit on the couch all day. While these things can be good in small amounts, if that is all you are doing, it isn’t going to help how you are feeling.
Make sure you prioritize a healthy diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables. You should also make sure you are getting regular exercise. Whether you go to the gym, take a walk around the block, or try out yoga, moving around, stretching your body, and getting your heart rate up will help increase endorphins, which will lift your mood.
Get More Exposure to Light
The winter months have the shortest days of the year, and even when the sun should be out, there is often cloud cover that makes it hard to get enough exposure to light. Getting enough light has been scientifically shown to boost both your mood and your energy.
Natural light in particular can help lift your mood. Whenever the sun is out, make sure you spend at least 10-20 minutes absorbing some rays and vitamin D. If there is cloud cover, you can use a light therapy box or other bright lights to supplement.
Spend More Time with People
When you are feeling sad or down, it is easy to withdraw and spend all your time by yourself. But this is likely to make your mood even worse. Even introverts don’t do well with complete isolation. It is important to spend time with people that care about you, and this can have a direct effect on how you feel. Set aside at least a little time a couple of days a week to gather with family, friends, or coworkers to socialize. If you are struggling, you should reach out to these people for help as well.
Having a hard time during the winter months is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it is quite normal. At the same time, if you are struggling to go about your daily life, it would be a good idea to reach out to a professional for help.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read: How to Learn to Connect More With Nature
