5 Tips to Battle Seasonal Depression
So long, summer and hello fall! Pumpkin flavors are everywhere, the leaves are turning beautiful colors, there are apples to pick, corn mazes to solve, and haunted houses to fear. The excitement of fall is in the air, but the cold winter winds are right around the corner. Now don’t get me wrong, those first couple of snowfalls are magical and exciting, but the short days and lack of sunlight can really take a toll on your mental health. It’s a good idea to start getting into healthy habits now while the thrill of fall is still in full swing. I have listed a few tips that I found have helped get me through those last few winter months after the holiday buzz is gone and passed.
1. Take vitamin D supplements
With winter comes much shorter days, which means less exposure to sunlight. You would be surprised by how much vitamin D does to improve your mood, so take supplements to make up for the lack of natural sun exposure. Alternatively, find an alarm clock that mimics a sunrise, get brighter lights for the area that you hang out in most during winter, or simply bundle up and get outside on one of those rare sunny winter days!
2. Exercise
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I know, this is definitely the hardest thing to do when you are down in the dumps and have no motivation to get off the couch. Trust me, getting into a regular workout routine can do absolute wonders for seasonal depression. If you are like me and have a hard time finding motivation on your own, join a gym or yoga studio that offers classes. Be preemptive and sign up for classes a day or two ahead of time, and don’t let yourself cancel!
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3. Laugh
You know what they say, laughter is the best medicine. Whether it’s finding a good comedy podcast (read my article on uniquely hilarious podcasts), subscribing to a funny blog/subreddit/journal, getting yourself a good joke book, or simply reminding yourself to laugh a little every day. Laughing releases a lot of feel-good hormones that can help get you through that tenth blizzard of the season.
4. Eat right
Grabbing that extra sugary snack and third cup of coffee may be your first instinct to make it through another polar vortex, but that will only have you feeling bluer as you crash from the sugar caffeine high. Start making homemade soups, try some quinoa and chickpeas, make chocolate ice cream with bananas and cocoa powder, Google more healthy options!
5. Find a hobby
And by hobby, I mean literally anything that brings you joy. I bought myself a coloring book and a ton of colored pencils, that’s my new hobby. Collect stamps, start playing a new videogame, learn a new instrument, knit, the options are endless! Find an artistic way to express yourself while your favorite show is on in the background.
Autumn Mulgrew