Avoiding the Seasonal Blues
As we wind into fall, many people start to feel the lack of light beginning to affect their mood. I am one of those people. I will share my tips on how to combat these winter blues and hopefully you will share some of yours in the comments below.
There are small lights you can buy called SADS lights. I saw one for $80 at a lighting store last year and I plan to get one. My friend let me try hers one year and it really helped me. You only have to place it on the table close beside you for thirty minutes each morning while you have breakfast to get the full effect. The specific 10,000 lux white light bulb helps increase your serotonin levels to enhance mood.
It is also important to keep moving. If you stay in the house all the time, your body will not release endorphins to your brain to keep you happy. Even if it’s just a short walk, you’ll feel better. That’s why a good raincoat and umbrella are essential. If you can afford it, treat yourself to a coffee or tea in a café surrounded by people. Just being around others helps to lift our spirits. If you are snowed in, do some stretching exercises or follow a YouTube yoga video on the floor at home.
Join a local Meetup.com group or Rec Centre program that interests you. Just having something on your schedule besides work gives you an activity to look forward to. Meeting people to socialize is so important. If you meet someone who seems compatible, make an effort to invite them out for coffee or over to your home when you feel comfortable. This is how new friends are made.
Finally, ask your doctor about taking vitamin D supplements. Mine recommends 2000 IU in winter since I’m older and live in the northern hemisphere.
What trick do you use to stave off the winter blues? Please share a comment below.
(photo by enviied May 5, 2009) sourced from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/33786992@N08/3505373098/in/photolist-6kKXid-apn6jH-appQq3-appPyj-pobtC5-5FKMo8-sie3X-oAHwU5-Jz1B6-Juwo76-7GjBZY-7GfG5n-23nVJH-9xrQsE-7GjC1E-UFRV7V-3cikGG-4jgAsa-qc9Nbm-aFkZuh-9jwQb6-9d4npU-FgNy4Z-K7qoN-8ooXZa-bs6vW6-2hVH2dX-55UpPo-appMMo-3bdnA6-petwH1-7CANjD-2kLojys-pTqcw5-4LLdqc-pWsYP6-2iFxiqB-qj9dA6-6Xwn9y-2nnbrkp-pSdXm2-2idPzU3-pWGd7Z-qc9NQs-pSe5YY-LCzGU-pT47Te-CTpDUT-25kgDTf-2avmHjJ
