Beating those Winter Blues

Is it just us or has this week flown in? Maybe with the countdown to Christmas getting shorter and shorter, it's making it go by that bit quicker! And while this time of the year is usually one of joy and happiness, sometimes not everyone may feel that way. If you feel sad and lethargic during the shortest days of the year, you may have what we call the winter blues. Whilst common among many people, with estimates suggesting anywhere from 14 to 20 percent of American adults experience them, if you notice your winter blues starting to permeate all aspects of your life, you may be facing SAD, which stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, a recurrent type of depression associated with change in seasons. Both are caused by sensitivity to the lack of sunlight from the shorter winter days, which disrupt your body clock and mess with your hormone levels.

Thankfully, usually these blues will subside on their own as the warmer, brighter days of spring roll in. But there's no reason to wait until then to feel better. To help you out, we've put together 5 ways to get a leg up on them and have you feeling happier and more energetic in no time!





1) Lighten Up
Exposing yourself to natural light makes your body release the feel-good hormone serotonin. Aim to get outside as much as possible during the day while it's still bright! Make that extra effort to go for a brisk morning walk, even if it's just for a few minutes, and open up your curtains first thing when you wake up to ensure you soak in the morning rays.

2) Get Moving
Time to lace up the running shoes and get exercising. Studies suggest that getting at least 20 minutes of vigorous activity four times a week can help reduce depressive moods. Whether it's a walk with a friend, a trip to the gym or even a dance around you living room to some cheesy tunes, it can have a significant impact on your mood!

                                                                                 



3) Eat Well
While you may be craving sugary and fatty foods, a healthy diet will significantly help boost your mood and give you more energy to get you out and about! Balance your intake of carbs (yes, that means pasta!) with plenty of fish and potatoes. In a study of more than 11,000 people published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it found that those who stuck to a Mediterranean diet, one packed with fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish with a moderate amount of alcohol scored higher on markers of mental health than those who ate a more Western diet. Time for a trip to the fishmongers!




4) Stay Social
Although you may be feeling inclined to stay at home on your own, being surrounded by friends and loved ones is a great way to shed the feeling of hopelessness. Whether it's asking a friend around for a movie and hot cocoa or organizing a holiday party (nothing too major!), having something to look forward to will also help lift you out of your funk.





5) Take up a hobby
Just because the weather outside is frightful, that doesn't mean you it's time to park yourself in front of the television for the next few weeks. To keep yourself occupied and your brain stimulated, now is the time to take up a new hobby, whether it's learning a new language, or reading your way through some good books, there's heaps of indoor activities to keep you busy.




While these small steps can help you boost your mood, if your symptoms are beginning to worsen, it may be time to speak to a doctor or mental health care professional who can help you move toward better mental health and gain tools needed to manage future seasonal dips.

We hope this wellbeing post has given you some useful info on dealing with your mood changes during these winter months, and helps you get back on track to enjoying yourself this holiday season! x