Winter – It is a time when the weather is cold, the bells jingle, kids eagerly wait for Santa Claus. As joyful as the holiday season is supposed to be, the days in winter can be filled with fatigue and boredom. The dark days of December with fewer daylight hours and freezing temperatures, can be pretty cruel to your mental state.
The winter blues can have an effect on you in a number of ways. You could have a minor irritant or severe depression or even seasonal affective disorder. Yes! Winter blues can lead to a serious condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects 20 percent of the people in the world. But a tactical prevention plan, including color and light therapy and exercise can help people avoid winter blues and cope with winter depression.
So what should your plan comprise of? Here are a few tips for a happier and healthier holiday season:
- Turn your bedroom lights ON as soon as you wake up: One of the feelings in winter season is that you don't want to get out of bed even if you had enough sleep. So turn on your lights as soon as your alarm goes off. The dark will only make you sleepier and more sluggish.
- Expose yourself to sunlight: Wake up early, and lift the curtains or go outside as soon as you get out of bed. Take a walk on your lunch-break and get outside as much as possible when the sun is shining. Only the sun is capable of tuning your body clock correctly.
- Exercise: Research shows that exercise is as effective as antidepressants in managing mood. Getting your blood pumping is a good start in dealing with blues and living a healthier overall lifestyle. Exercise helps to refresh your body and brain through oxygenation and is a natural way to relieve stress. Jogging, walking, running, etc whatever you prefer. Make sure you do it for at least 30 minutes. Start simple and stay committed.
- Eat healthy: A well-balanced diet goes a long way in minimizing winter blues. A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you from putting on weight over winter. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or high-fat, and limit alcohol consumption. Eat protein, vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates for a nutritional energy boost. Don't forget to add Vitamin D and amino acids to your diet. Avoid excess salt, caffeine, and processed foods.
- Laugh a lot: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, and increases the level of endorphins in the body. So watch your favorite movie, have a meet up with friends or attend a stand up comedy night.
- Use color therapy: Color will give your mood a real lift. Bring flowers into your home, fresh when possible. Wear bright color, who knows, you might start a fashion trend.
- Socialize: Human beings are naturally social creatures, so the importance of being out amongst other people, especially during the winter blues, cannot be overstated. Close social ties can boost happiness, reduce stress, improve self-worth, increase your sense of belonging and purpose, and even decrease your risk of developing serious mental illnesses. Meet your friends as often as possible. If you can't meet, then talk on the phone. Throw parties, attend a few as well.
- Sleep well: Proper sleep is especially important for proper hormone balance as well as mental sharpness during the day. So keeping a regular schedule as much as possible and going to bed at the same time every night is very helpful.
- Drink green tea instead of coffee: Coffee agitates your mind and makes you to feel anxious, stressed and depressed. Switch to green tea and watch the changes that occur in your mood and how you feel.
- Volunteer: Lift your spirits by volunteering your time or donating your clothes to aid those less fortunate during the harshest weather. Reaching out to someone you don't know has the potential to both pick you up and be of great service to others in your community.
Winter time is difficult for a lot of people. But by using the above positive affirmations you will lift your mood and keep yourself balanced and centered.
Happy Holidays!
