10 Best Ways to Deal With Winter Blues

Winter Blues

I have always felt it when October comes when the air becomes a little cooler and the afternoons a little smaller. It feels like a pang in my heart like something is missing. Like something is slipping away from my hands, but I never found out what it is. As the nights get longer, I suddenly feel like I’m in limbo, constantly going in circles and never reaching a destination.

Have you ever felt this too?

Did you ever feel that as winter comes, it brings a sudden melancholy with it? Have you ever felt that winter acts like a magnet to all your depressive thoughts? Did you also feel like doing nothing and giving in to these intrusive thoughts?

If yes, then here is an interesting thing for you: you are not alone and whatever you are feeling is valid. This might be a case of “Winter Blues!”

 

So, What is “Winter Blues”?

“Winter Blues” is a term to describe the phenomenon of feeling sad or depressed when seasons change. The sudden change in the weather and how the nights get longer affect our moods and make us feel down. Typically, when winter falls, it brings this kind of sadness with it, but it goes away on its own as the days become warmer!

According to Dr. Matthew Rudorfer, a mental health expert at NIH,

“Winter blues is a general term, not a medical diagnosis. It’s fairly common, and it’s more mild than serious. It usually clears up on its own in a fairly short amount of time.”

However, this feeling can be lingering, and if you are looking for some ways to deal with it, here are some ways!

 

Get Out In The Sun

Light therapy is a great way to fight winter blues because it helps your body produce more serotonin. This hormone helps regulate mood, so when you’re feeling down, take a walk outside and let some sunlight shine down on you.

 

Go For A Walk

Just like light therapy, taking a walk is another great way to boost your mood and combat winter blues. Plus, it’s free!

 

Exercise

Exercise increases serotonin production in your brain, which helps regulate moods and makes you feel better overall. So, what are you waiting for? Go get your jogging shoes on already!

 

Pick some Music to Listen

If you’ve got some good music on hand, put it on and dance around your living room until it’s time to go back to work! This helps release endorphins in your brain that can help lift your mood.

 

Go For A Hike

Hiking is an amazing way to get outside and enjoy nature without having to deal with the cold or rain, and it’s also good for your mental health! Plus, if you’re looking for something different from the treadmill or elliptical machine at your gym, hiking might just be the answer (especially if you live by the trails).

 

Get Enough Sleep

You know how important sleep is for a healthy mood, right? Well, if you don’t get enough, it’s going to be hard to keep your head above water when everything around you seems so gray and dreary; and your mood is in danger of taking one too! Make sure to get enough rest every night and make sure that bedtime isn’t too early or too late for you (if you’re an owl, try keeping your bedroom dark; if not, choose a room with soft light).

 

Eat Healthily

If you’re not eating well during the winter months (and we can all agree that not eating well is rarely a good thing), try eating more protein-rich foods like lentils, cottage cheese, fish, or chicken breast instead of fatty meats, they’ll give your body all the fuel it needs without being heavy on your stomach, which will help keep food down better throughout the day!

 

Talk To Someone Who Cares About You

That doesn’t mean just your friends or family members—it means anyone who wants to listen to what’s going on in your head and offer their support. You might be surprised by how many people are happy just knowing that they have an ear for those who need it most!

 

Try Out A New Activity

Not only does exercise help beat depression, but it also helps make sure that your body gets the rest it needs so that it can keep doing its job properly throughout the rest of the winter season. You can find a new hobby like painting or even try learning a new instrument to keep yourself focused on productive things.

 

Pick A New Book

Do you like reading? If yes, then you might know that reading can give you an escape from the depressing weather. No matter if it is fiction or non-fiction, you can pick up a book and start getting lost in words.

Just remember, this feeling won’t last, and brighter days are ahead. We just need to hang on a little longer! Moreover, you are not alone! 😊

 

2 thoughts on “10 Best Ways to Deal With Winter Blues”

  1. Getting out more in the sun will definitely uplift the mood in the winter. A great post. Looking forward for more such blogs 🙂

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