Don’t Let the Cold Freeze Your Mental Health!
As the mornings start to get cold, and the sun sets early in the evenings, you may already be starting to feel a little more sluggish. For so many people, this can be the starting point of seasonal affective disorder rearing its head once again. You don’t have to let the cold freeze all the progress you’ve made in taking care of yourself, though! Here are some ways to stay ahead of the “winter blues”:
Light Therapy: Light therapy has been the “go-to” for helping with seasonal affective disorder for many years. Getting a light box is a simple and accessible element to add into your morning routine. Other helpful ways to get more sun could be moving your desk chair closer to the window to get some more sunshine or adding in an extra walk around the block during your day.
Avoid hibernating: The lack of sunlight we receive during the winter months leads our body to producing more of our sleep hormone, melatonin, leading us to feel sleepy and sluggish during the day. It’s normal to sleep a little more in the winter, but make sure you avoid staying in bed longer than normal!
Keep socially engaged: When your energy levels are low, it can feel like socializing is the last thing you want to do, but it may be just what you need. Text a friend and suggest a low-energy activity like an at-home movie night, picking a book to read together, or a crafting day (my personal favorite)!
Talk to a professional: Speaking with your therapist and/or primary care provider will help you to explore more care options to keep you going through this season.
Above all else, remember that just because you may feel a little extra sluggish this winter, that does not mean all the progress you have made this summer disappears.