Have you ever noticed with changing of seasons your mood suddenly seems to shift? The short days, overcast skies, and cold temperatures not only mean more time to spend indoors but a significant change in mood as well for many people. In fact, you may have heard about SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a widely accepted name for a form of depression that’s related to the change of seasons, and nearly 5 percent of the population each year gets affected by this. Anxiety, sleeping problems, overeating and even mood swings are some common symptoms of seasonal depression. So, don’t let cold weather give you the blues. Try the following tips and it will surely help you to boost or brighten your mood.
Live In The Light
Sunlight produces a chemical named serotonin in the body that directly affects your mood levels. As the days grow shorter during the winter & with less sun to bask in, you might be craving those golden rays. It is also very important that you are getting enough safe sun exposure. Spend some time to sit near windows during the day or get outside or open those blinds & curtains to let the sunlight enter into your room. Getting sunlight first thing in the morning is recommended by scientists. So, brighten up your day by spending anywhere from 3-15 minutes in indirect sunlight and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
Get Outside In Winter
Staying indoors when the weather gets colder is easy and we all know it. Also it can be hard to get motivated to bundle up and head outdoors. However, it’s a great anecdote for the blues and a little breath of fresh air might be just what you require to nix your bad mood. Just one short walk, hike or jog in day will not only help to relieve stress & make you feel better mentally but also improve your physical health as well. Because any types of physical activities activate chemicals in our body that can improve mood and anxiety.
Be Social
We all know human beings are social creatures. But with the coming of winter, you can start to feel isolating. Schedule your social activities and attend them to get along with friends and family. It’s also a great time to get along with friends and feel the cherishing moments. Host a dinner party, visit friends or plan a game night. In short, just get out there and have some fun!
Wear Brighter Clothing
The days may get darker during the winter months but there are still plenty of ways you can lighten your mood. For instance, people who wore brighter clothes had a more positive psychological and physiological effect on mood. Try to swap out your black or grey clothing items for vibrant colors such as yellow, orange or green, as warmer and brighter colors are typically associated with being happy.
Food Is The Real Medicine
There’s an old saying, “You are what you eat.” It’s hundred and ten percent truth. When it gets colder during winter, it can be easy to fall into bad eating habits especially with all of the holiday leftovers. However, continuing to consume unhealthy junk & fatty foods can lead to fatigue, obesity, diabetes and other health problems. So, eat healthy by switching up the way you choose to cook and familiarize yourself with healthy meal ideas and snacks. Substitute the cookies and pasta for healthier foods such as lentils, brown rice, sweet potatoes, squash, salmon, bananas, asparagus etc. These foods have high in magnesium and potassium, vitamin-B6, biotin, energy-boosting omega-3 fatty acids etc.
Listen To Music
Music is your best mood enhancer & nothing boosts your mood better than your favorite song. Create a playlist of your favorite song to take with you on the go or enjoy at the office. Are you beginning to feel gloomy? Then listen to your positive playlist to dissolve your negative mood.
Volunteering
Helping somebody in need gives you immense pleasure & happiness and decreases feelings of depression and sadness. If you don’t own a pet, devote some of your time to care for sheltering animals. There are most likely homeless shelters in cities & towns that could be benefitted from your winter clothing donation or any kind of donations. This type of volunteer works can help communities and you would love doing this.
Lastly, it’s very important to reach out for medical help if you experience severe symptoms that may accompany SAD or the winter blues.