The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that depressive disorders like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are common in people going through treatment. SAD primarily occurs in the winter when days get noticeably shorter and colder. Here are ten ways you can beat the winter blues this year and continue working towards a successful recovery.
- Light therapy boxes
These boxes give off sunlight that mimics natural light. In just thirty minutes a day, you will stimulate your body’s circadian rhythms and restore a natural release of melatonin.
- Aromatherapy
Essential oils, the aroma compounds in plants, can influence the area of the brain that controls moods, the body’s internal clock, and appetite, according to the National Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy. Adding just a few drops to a bath at night can greatly increase your ability to relax.
- Stay active
If you can’t get outside because of the cold or snow, try a stationary bike or treadmill to keep you moving this winter. Exercise offsets side effects of depression such as weight gain and low self-esteem.
- Bundle up and be brave
Like sobriety, beating depression takes work. During the winter, you’ll want to get as much natural sunlight as you can without supplementing light therapy. If you live in a cold climate, bundle up and take a stroll around the block around noon, or soon after.
- Keep a journal
Writing down your thoughts is an easy way to get negativity out of your system. Try to write at least twenty minutes a day over as much of the week as you can. Be brave and include your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
- Eat more veggies
The secret to happiness could be growing in your garden. WebMD suggests that eating foods full of antioxidants drastically improves your overall brain function and health. Those who are big on produce are less likely to be anxious or depressed as well.
- Consider chamomile
A study done at the University of Pennsylvania found that chamomile may have clinically meaningful antidepressant activity that occurs in addition to its previously observed anxiolytic activity. Having just one chamomile tea every few days can drastically brighten up your week.
- Don’t skip meals
Those who suffer from SAD typically have a hard time keeping a set schedule, which gets their body out of rhythm. Prepackaging meals can help you be diligent and stick to your eating schedule.
- Turn on the tunes
Listening to upbeat and cheery music significantly improves one’s mood in both the short and long term.
- Volunteer
Studies suggest that one of the easiest ways to cure depression is to help others. Doing something as simple as shoveling a little extra way down the sidewalk greatly improves mental health and satisfaction.
In the time when holiday bills are high, the days are short, and the outside temperature is low, it can be easy to make a big pot of coffee and call it a couch-and-television day. Hopefully, some of these tricks will help you keep the winter blues at bay.
