How to Prevent the Winter Blues
Shorter days, less sunlight and colder weather can be the cause of the Winter Blues, or in medical terms, Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is very unpleasant, and the winter can be anything but a time of cheer as you spend all the time counting down the days. Here are some ways to prevent the winter blues.
Getting more light and vitamin D
- The first way to prevent the winter blues is to start taking Vitamin D every day. Our main source of vitamin D is the sun and unfortunately in the winter there is a limited amount of it.
- Exposure to daylight also helps keep our circadian rhythm working. Darkness causes our brains to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone, which means in the winter, when the light levels are very low, we feel sleepy all of the time. The only remedy is to expose ourselves to high light levels that our light bulbs can’t produce. You can buy a light box which is proven to help reduce symptoms of depression.
- Next, get into an exercise routine before the winter comes. Exercise is prescribed by doctors to most people who come to them with complaints of symptoms of depression. Just make sure to find a form of exercise that you enjoy as this will help you stay motivated when lethargy starts to fester in the winter.
Being kind to yourself
- Lastly, be kind to yourself. Understand that it is normal to feel a lack of motivation in the winter. You are not lazy, you are just human. Treat yourself with a warm drink and snuggle up under a cosy blanket any time you start to feel bad about yourself. This may be all the time, so invest in comfy clothes so you can always feel cosy. Aran Sweaters from Shamrock Gift are stylish at the same time as giving you all the comfort you need in colder weather.
Summary
The Winter Blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is caused by shorter days, less sunlight and colder weather, making winter feel like anything but a season of cheer. Taking vitamin D, getting exposure to daylight or a light box, and building an enjoyable exercise routine can all help counter low mood and tiredness. It also helps to be kind to yourself, treat winter tiredness as normal, and invest in cosy, comfortable clothing.
Questions this article raises
- How effective is a light box compared with natural daylight?
- Why does darkness increase melatonin production in winter?
- What exercise routines are realistic during darker winter months?
