4 Ways to Soothe Seasonal Blues

It’s that time of year again. Our days get shorter, our nights get colder, and our motivation to hop out of bed in the morning hits an all-time low as we turn forward the clocks one hour. 

Now we don’t know about you, but every time of year when daylight savings hits, it hits hard for us as we prepare for the next few months of dark and dreary. And if the weather affects you as much as it does us, you are more likely than not experiencing some form of seasonal affective disorder. Because let’s face it, when the weather turns colder, it’s perfectly okay to just feel sadder. 

But don’t worry. You’re not completely doomed for four months of feeling this way! Here’s four actionable steps you can take today to boost your mood for these upcoming grey months. 

Sunlight 

We cannot stress this enough. During the winter months, we’re not outside as often. And because of that, our bodies don’t get as much Vitamin D as we need. So open your bedroom shades, walk to go get a hot coffee in the sunshine, or even take advantage of light therapy. This form of therapy involves shining a handheld lamp up to you which mimics the light of the sun. The best part? You can get a full day’s worth of light in just 10-15 minutes. You heard us right. Just 10-15 minutes! This type of therapy is becoming so much more common as more info around seasonal depression comes about, so it’s definitely not as weird as you may think. Check out this SAD lamp from Amazon, and try out its health benefits today!

Activity

Let’s face it. When we’re cold and it's dark outside, all we want to do is hibernate all snuggled up with a blanket. But as we begin to move our bodies less and less because of the weather, it can really start to have an effect on our mental health. But, we really encourage you to get at least 20-30 minutes of activity a day to boost your mood. Go on an early morning walk, sign up for a gym time, or take late night yoga. You’ll feel so much better after you do, and the hope is that the endorphins you get from getting your body moving during a workout will improve your mood throughout the rest of the day. 

Socialize

When your friends invite you to their apartment on a Friday night in the dead of winter, it can be really easy to say no. The thought of bearing the icy outdoors can be pretty daunting. But surrounding yourself with others is so important as the weather begins to change, especially during a time when socialization is especially hard. (Hey Corona, thanks for that.) So even though it's tempting to spend your weekend cooped up in the comfort of your own home, you’d be amazed at what some good TLC with friends can do for your mood. 

Therapy

Make sure to consult with a professional before seeking therapy, but there’s absolutely no shame in doing so when the weather has you down. If you’ve never gone to therapy or are unsure of where to start, Elon has great counseling services that you can book an appointment with if you just need to chat with someone about how you’re feeling. It’s really easy to try all the conventional tactics like being outside more or talking with friends, but sometimes, when it comes down to it, a listening ear in the form of professional help can be so beneficial.