Dealing With The Winter Blues

Have you ever heard of the winter blues?

You might be surprised to know that there’s actually science behind this idea. According to the Mayo Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects most people from fall throughout the winter. It can make you feel moody and take away your energy. But SAD can also happen during other months of the year.

The Mayo Clinic also suggests seeing a doctor and not dismissing how you’re feeling if you’ve been feeling like this for “days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy.”

For milder cases, though, you may want to try doing things that can improve your mood to see if they help.

Here are three ideas that are not meant to replace professional help but may be helpful nonetheless.

Social Engagement

Almost everything is easier when you’re not alone. Meeting up with friends and family can do wonders to lift your spirits. Sharing a laugh or just being in their presence already brightens things up. Who can you meet next time your feeling a bit down?

Music

If you’re into music, you know how a single tune can dramatically change your state. You feel the emotions of the song, and it takes you places. Why not channel this into positive and joyful energy. If you’re in a rut, which song can you count on to cheer you up?

Pictures

Looking at pictures bring back memories. You can get completely absorbed in the small photo paper between your fingers. Do you have any albums that bring you joy? Which one can you look at when you don’t feel like doing anything else?

The winter blues are real and if you’ve been feeling down for a number of days you should speak to your doctor. But for lighter incidents, you may find that these tips give you the boost you need to cheer up.