Were you aware that the winter blues is actually considered a disorder and can be treated? The oh so common winter depression that many people feel during the cold, dark winter months is called seasonal affective disorder and can affect individuals of any age. When it comes to how to beat the winter blues the best type of treatment can sometimes be the most simple. Season affect disorder treatment doesn’t always have to be medicine but instead can be certain lifestyle changes and habits during the winter. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have your occasional day inside, under a blanket, watching a movie but it also doesn’t mean that that’s all you should do in the winter. Continue reading our tips for how to beat the winter blues and get yourself out of what can be considered as winter depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Treatment
Winter depression can affect every person differently and that means that different treatments may work for one person but not for another. That doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to get yourself up and feeling better. Keep trying different activities and see which season affective disorder treatment may work for you. Here are 7 tips for how to beat the winter blues naturally.
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Family / Friend Time
The winter is a great time to make an effort to catch up with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a while, or even those that you have seen recently. Getting together with people you love and that care about you can be great for mental health and get your mind off winter depression. Socializing, no matter the form, is good for you and getting together with loved ones can rekindle relationships can lead you towards new experiences, even in the winter cold.
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Learn Something New
Try a new hobby. Is there something that you’ve always wanted to learn but have come to realize that you don’t have the time to do it? If you’re feeling the winter blues, finding something to keep your mind off of feeling down can not only keep your mind active but give you something to look forward to on a daily or weekly basis. If you try a new hobby and don’t like it, try something new. Ask a friend to join so not only are you socializing about the new hobby but also learning something new.
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Get More Light
Light Boxes are a great type of season affective disorder treatment. These boxes are able to give out a light that is 10 times brighter than any home or office lighting. Try sitting in front of a light box for 30 minutes to an hour each day to help you feel better. There are similar lights to light boxes that can be included in alarm clocks that simulate the sun rising gradually as your alarm goes off to wake you up into a well-lit environment.
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Watch What You Eat
Following a healthy diet during the winter months can help with mood, energy and keep those extra pounds off. You may notice that you want to eat warm carbs during the winter but try to balance those cravings with fruits and veggies as well.
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Seek Warmth
Allow yourself to drink warm drinks and eat hot food. Keep your body warm also by the clothes that you wear because staying warm can keep your mood up. The colder you are the more depressed you may feel and if you’re able to keep your body warm, you mood will be good too.
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Get Outside
Although this may not sound like the most fun plan if you’re not a fan of the cold but going out during the day to see the natural daylight can allow your body to feel better.
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Exercise
Try to get outside at the warmest part of the day and go for a walk or make it to the gym to keep your activity up. Not only does keeping active help you stay fit but it also releases endorphins to make you feel better.
If none of the natural ways how to beat the winter blues work for you, speaking to your doctor about what you’re feeling. They may have alternative treatments or tips of what you can do to get yourself feeling better.
