This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SAU chapter.
The medical term for the winter blues is seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression. People around the globe experience the winter blues, so here are some tips to help yourself through the dark days.
- Make your environment brighter. Since the sun rises and sets quickly, you will want to have plenty of lighting to help keep your environment bright. Invest in a sun lamp and get some good area lighting.
- Smart Eating. Try to eat healthier foods and make sure to get in a lot of fruits and vegetables daily. Highly processed foods can cause dips in your moods which can negatively affect your mental state.
- Exercise Daily. Moving your body helps boost endorphins in your brain which can help alleviate stress. You can do an intense workout or do some light yoga.
- Stay Social. Since many people do not like going out in the cold, we have a tendency to hibernate, which can increase our feelings of depression and loneliness. Try to stay connected to your family and friends.
- Plan something exciting. Look into the next couple months and try to plan a vacation, concert, or fun event. This will help give you something to look forward to.
- Help Others. Find ways to give back to your community. This can be through volunteering or working. This helps you feel like you are doing something valuable and will help give you something to look forward to.
- Get Outside. Like mentioned above, some people do not like going outside in the cold. But getting the fresh air and doing a fun activity outside will help you find comfort and pleasure in this weather.
- Stick with your hobbies. You can try some new hobbies like crafting, cooking, or baking. Doing your hobbies and finding new hobbies will help keep you happy and keep you entertained
While the winter blues might be scary, always support yourself and support your friends. Have movie nights, eat meals with family and friends, and never give up on yourself.