This time of year isn’t always the brightest or best time of year for wanting to get up and be productive. During the colder months of the year many people go through Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD usually begins sometime in the Fall and extend through the end of Winter until the beginning of Spring. Symptoms are characterized by sluggishness, moodiness, lack of energy, depression and fatigue. Lack of sunlight and shorter days during the Winter help promote SAD.
While some people consider SAD to be more of a phase than a disorder, and just wait for it to eventually dissipate, you can take action now and make positive steps towards fighting the Winter blues and lessening Seasonal Affective Disorder! Check out these tips for keeping your spirits up this Winter!
- Consider changing your lighting situation to fluorescent bulbs or engaging in Light Therapy. You can purchase different Light Therapy lamps conveniently right on Amazon!
- Eat more foods, like bananas, fish, beans, eggs and flax seed oil, with serotonin. Serotonin is connected to mood balance and a deficit of serotonin can lead to depression.
- Stick to a schedule to keep yourself on a healthy sleeping and eating pattern. This will help you monitor what you eat, since many people tend to gain weight in the Winter, and keep your body happy with a dependable, full sleep schedule.
- By simply doing some cardio for 15 – 20 minutes, you can help boost your mood and regulate your sweet tooth.
- Talk to a healthcare professional if you feel symptoms have become worse. They can diagnose you and let you know if what you’re experiencing is SAD or another form of depression.
- Take advantage of sunny days! Be sure to get yourself outside when you can, and if you can’t, leave the blinds open when you’re stuck indoors!
- Travel now if you can! Head to sunny Florida, California, or if you’re really lucky, somewhere like the Caribbean! Go where it is warm, sunny and nothing like the Winter weather you left on the Island.
How do you keep your mood and spirits up during the colder months? Let us know in the comments below!