Pick-me-ups to combat a long winter attitude
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EmailWays to care for your wellbeing through the winter.
Try these tips to shake off the winter blues
As the days get shorter and colder, many people look forward to cozy nights indoors or exciting holiday plans. For some people, feelings of excitement for the holidays may be overshadowed by anxious or sad feelings. These feelings are often linked to less daylight or spending more time indoors during the colder months. While these feelings are common, some people may experience a more intense version. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons of the year. Even for people who do not experience SAD, milder feelings of winter blues can make getting through the winter feel difficult. Sheltering inside away from the cold weather can make the days feel monotonous. Many people go to work or school before the sun comes up and leave after it goes back down. While this can be a dreary state, it is important to remember that winter does not last forever. Before long, you will feel the sun on your face and the warm breezes of summer. In the meantime, there are many simple things you can do to shake off the winter blues.
Instead of focusing on the weather, focus on these wellness practices:
- Try light therapy. This involves using bright light to wake up your brain and body, either with a special light therapy lamp or by getting natural sunlight shortly after waking up. This is most effective when done within an hour of waking up. A light therapy lamp can be a great solution for people who must wake up before the natural sunrise in the winter.
- Be social. Having friends over for a cozy game or movie night is a great way to stay connected.
- Set realistic goals. It can feel harder to accomplish things at work or school during the winter, so break tasks up and don’t take on too much.
- Get creative. Dig out that sewing machine or box of craft items from the back of the closet and make something useful or just for fun.
- Try some indoor physical activity. This can be as simple as putting on favorite music and dancing or doing an online workout class or video. Anything to get your body moving can help you shake off a cold weather slump.
- Some outdoor physical activity can still be fun in the winter. Even if you aren’t feeling up to a 5k on the icy roads, short walks to look at holiday decorations can help you get fresh air. You can also take advantage of activities that are only possible in the winter, like ice skating or cross-country skiing.
- Take a trip if possible. Getting into a new environment (preferably a sunny one) can help shake off the winter blues. Even a short trip, like staying with a friend for a weekend, will take you out of your routine and break up the monotony.
- Practice an attitude of gratitude. Who and what are you grateful for? Writing it down is a reminder that you may not normally need, but it may help.
- What food would you eat tonight if it were summer? How about vegetables on the grill? Select your favorite summer dish, uncover the grill and enjoy the smells and tastes of summer. If you can’t find your grill under the snow, use your oven.
- Try out a mindfulness or other health program from Michigan State University Extension
While it may not be easy to jump off the couch and start any of these activities, implementing them can have a great effect on your mood this winter. A word of caution; if you are finding it difficult to get up every day, are spending more and more time alone or are sleeping more than usual, Michigan State University Extension encourages you to visit your doctor and explain what you are experiencing. You may need more than just this short article to make you feel better and your doctor’s office is a start.
