5 ways to beat the winter blues
Winter is a tough time of year for many. From darker days to colder nights, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is significant during this period of time. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), SAD makes up about 10% of all depression cases and 15% of us can expect to experience a mild or major form of SAD.
And that’s in easy times. Throw on a pandemic, social upheaval and a sputtering economy and you get numbers that are much more severe.
Luckily there are health and wellness strategies to mitigate against seasonal affective disorder. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and take a look at the list below for some tips on beating the winter blues.
Keep a journal
Journaling is a great way to increase one’s mindfulness of thoughts and feelings. The benefits of journaling go beyond simply spotting where one is at emotionally and mentally though. Journaling allows one to express creativity with journals of many different kinds available for purchase. It’s also a great way to set a schedule and track progress such as on personal goal-setting.
Invest in a dawn simulator
While alarm clocks wake you up with a loud sound, designed to rouse you forcefully from your slumber, dawn simulators are more gradual. They produce a sun-like light in your bedroom that can help you adjust to winter darkness. Full-spectrum light is the most effective form of dawn simulator, being closest in experience to natural sunlight exposure.
Exercise
The benefits of exercise to physical and mental health are profound and well-documented. Exercising, especially when you don’t feel like it, can be a good way to fend off seasonal affective disorder, regulate sleep and improve mood. It helps to set realistic exercise goals. You don’t need to pressure yourself to become a professional athlete in a pandemic but exercise can be an effective tool in your arsenal.
Be social
Physical distancing doesn’t mean social distancing. Now is the time to connect not disconnect. Friends and family have never been more able to engage without being in the same room than right now. Whether that’s a phone call, email, text, direct message or video chat, our loved ones are closer than we think. Even if you don’t feel like it, it helps to be connected to those who care about you.
Get help
Sometimes beating the winter blues takes a team effort. Friends and family are an important part of that team but it helps to call in some professional support. As a Canadian and a wellness worker, I can help you navigate through the cold, dark days of winter months. Reach out - the support you are seeking is available.
