As the days get shorter and the temperature dwindles to an ultimate low, you may find yourself wrapped up in a blanket watching The Notebook and eating a tub of cookie dough ice cream. Lately, you haven’t been the happy, bubbly girl you were in July. Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s completely normal to feel a little down during the winter time. Known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, it is defined as a type of depression that occurs during a certain time of the year, most commonly in the winter.
So if you feel stuck in a rut this winter, listen up to these tips Her Campus has for fighting the winter blues!
- Expose yourself to more sunlight: Think about it, in the summer you’re outside constantly, whether it’s getting a tan or going for a swim – the sun is your best friend. But once winter hits, you stay cooped up in your house in order to avoid the frigid temperatures. Staying inside all day will keep you warm, but will it keep you happy? Try to get outside more and expose yourself to sunlight.
- Buy an artificial light box or Sunlamp: If going outside still isn’t your cup of tea or you want to continue to brighten your day up even when the sun goes down, you can invest in an artificial light source, which imitates the suns natural rays. An artificial light box can emit anywhere between 2,500 lux to 10,000 lux, while your typical light fixture emits between 250 lux to 500 lux. Perfect to put in your house or dorm to pretend you’re soaking up the sun!
- Exercise: Often during the winter, we become lazy and exercise less because the temperature is so cold. Exercise helps raise serotonin levels; low serotonin levels are linked to depression.
- Eat healthy: When you eat poorly, you don’t feel as good about yourself. Don’t fill up on carbs and sweets, fill up on fruits and veggies. Also, consider taking a vitamin pill containing vitamin D. Vitamin D, which we usually get from sun rays, is low in our bodies during the wintertime and is a necessity to staying healthy.
- Make a goal for yourself: Motivate yourself every morning! Perhaps you want to lose 10 pounds during the winter season or want to take up a new hobby. Don’t let the winter season slow you down and stop you from doing what you want. Become passionate about something and make it happen.
- Stay Social: If you’re always alone, you’re eventually going to feel lonely. Don’t let the cold weather prevent you from hanging out with your friends. Bundle up and grab some hot cocoa with your girls. Be in good company during the winter season!
Well, there you have it! Remember, don’t let the winter season get you too down. Before you know it, you’ll be wearing crop tops again, heading to the beach, and soaking up the sun.