For many, winter means living through the dark, cold and dreary days. Seasonal affective disorder is no myth but even if you are not clinically depressed, the season can still put a damper on your mood. Read on to find out how to ward off the winter blues when the season rolls around.
Get out for some sun
Winter days can be cold and gray but they can be sunny, too. The good news is that the winter blues shrink in sunlight. If you’re lucky enough to spot the sun outside, go out to catch some rays, no matter how short. Lunch breaks are ideal for catching some sun since winter days tend to be short.
Use a light box
A light box provides the same effects as the sun and can be useful if you spend a lot of time indoors. It is designed with fluorescent tubes that give off light similar to sunlight. Sit in front of your light box for 30 minutes for a quick mood lift.
Get moving
Set aside 30 minutes a day to get your heart racing and your body moving. Winter exercise can help keep your mood up, even if you just take a quick paced walk outside for 30 minutes or hop on a stationary bike indoors. Do this 3-4 times a week to keep your endorphin levels high.
Make your home a warm, cozy sanctuary
A depressing space will only get more depressing in winter. Counter this by turning your living room or bedroom into a warm, inviting cocoon. Candles, comfortable pillows, thick throws on the couch and books by the bedside table are some of the ways you can hygge up your life in winter. Hygge, in case you’ve been living under a rock, is the Danish art of creating warm, cozy environments and is something worth emulating especially if your space can use the upgrade.
Pamper your skin
It’s easy to feel good when you look good, so ditch the water-based moisturizer for a cream-based moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and nourished. Drink plenty of water to keep dehydration at bay. Dab some lipstick on for some color. None of these will keep you warm but they do make you feel better, which has the same effect on your mood.
Winter can be gray and dreary, but you don’t need to be. With these small but effective changes, you can fight off the blues for a memorable season.
