Seasonal & Holidays
6 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues
Get moving, eat well and make your own sunshine with these simple, effective tips.
Winter is a season that can feel as if it drags on forever. You're ready now for sunshine and warm weather, but you're stuck with gloomy days and cold for at least a little longer. Fortunately, though, there are some easy ways to beat those wintertime blues.
Please note: This site does not provide medical advice. If you suspect you're dealing with seasonal affective disorder or depression, always seek guidance from a qualified health provider.
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1. Get outside (if you can).
If you can safely and comfortably bundle up, do it — even if it's only for a few minutes. The National Institutes of Health recommends getting out in the sunlight or brightly lit spaces — especially early in the day — to help boost mood during the winter months.
Related: The 13 Best Cold Weather Essentials
2. Add light therapy to your routine.
Bright light exposure simulates your body's production of serotonin, which improves your mood and overall happiness. Light therapy lamps such as the Verilux HappyLight can brighten the day (literally) and boost your mood.
The manufacturers of HappyLight recommend starting with 10 minutes of exposure to its bright lights, then increasing your usage to 30 minutes and eventually to one hour daily. With this or any other light energy lamp, only use as directed.
3. Exercise!
If there's an activity you can do outside, great! If not, get moving indoors. According to WebMD, exercising leads to the release of chemicals called endorphins that trigger a positive feeling in the body. Endorphins can also boost your mood and even help relieve some symptoms of depression.
You don't need an expensive gym membership to get your fitness on indoors, either. For a compact cardio machine, we highly recommend the Stamina Inmotion Elliptical. It's portable enough to stow away in a closet but durable and versatile enough to let you get those steps in and add resistance.
For more strength training, just grab a set of resistance bands. Fit Simplify makes a set of five high-quality, heavy-duty resistance bands that can be integrated seamlessly into almost any workout program. This particular set comes with a carrying bag, eBook and access to online workout videos.
Related: The Best Fitness Items And Inspiration, According To Celebrities
4. Eat well.
A colorful diet is a great way to combat those winter blues. The NIH recommends eating nutritious foods and avoiding overloading on carbohydrates such as cookies and candies.
If you're looking for some inspiration, we highly recommend "The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook." Written by leading dietitian and recipe developer Toby Amidor, this cookbook features simple, delicious meals that can be ready in 30 minutes or less.
5. Spend time with family and friends.
It's easy to feel isolated in the winter, which is why it's so important to stay social throughout the season. To help keep your mood and motivation steady this winter, the Mayo Clinic recommends making a point to interact with family and friends on a regular basis. Getting together for drinks or dinner is all well and good, but if you really want to have some fun (and not break the bank), try hosting a game night.
Looking for a game everyone can play? TableTopics is a fun, engaging game that's sure to spark conversation in any crowd. It features 135 thought-provoking questions that are great for old friends, new acquaintances and everyone in between.
Related: 11 Party Games For Grown-Ups
6. Practice self-care.
A tropical vacation would be nice, but a spa night at home is pretty lovely, too. Lollia makes a divine bubble bath that softens the skin and soothes the senses.
You also can't go wrong with a good bathtub caddy, such as this adjustable number from Royal Craft Wood. It features a tablet holder, wine glass slots and two removable trays for soaps, candles and other bath time accessories.
Related: Why Self-Care Doesn't Need To Cost A Fortune
Settle in with a good book and let your mind and body relax — springtime will be here before you know it.
Related Links:
The Ultimate Pre-Spring Cleaning Checklist
Easy Ways To Avoid Getting Sick This Season
These 9 Tricks Will Make Any Rental Space Feel Like Home
Sources:
NIH.gov: Beat the Winter Blues
WebMD: Exercise And Depression
Mayo Clinic: It's Sometimes Called "The Winter Blues"
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