Winter is coming to an end, and it’s really cold outside. It is the middle of winter when people feel most disappointed because there is no sunshine or warm weather.
A few things can make winter easier for people who live in cold, tundra climates. Here are six ways to make things more fun during the year’s coldest months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Seasonal depression, or SAD, occurs with the changing of the seasons. It happens in a cyclical cycle, which means it happens around the same time every year. For many people, SAD manifests itself throughout the winter (Hello, February).
According to National Institute of Health data, approximately 6% of persons in northern U.S. climates suffer from SAD, while another 14% experience milder seasonal mood disorders or winter blues. SAD symptoms include decreased energy, weight gain, melancholy, and mood swings.
Consider using a Light Box.
If you suffer from mild to severe winter blues, now is the time to learn about light boxes. These devices expose you to light (at ten times the intensity of domestic lighting) in order to alleviate SAD symptoms.
A light box is used to augment daylight exposure when the days are longer and darker. You can adjust the brightness of your lightbox to your liking (to emit anywhere between half an hour to 2-hours of happy light).
Step Outside.
While a lightbox or vitamin D pill may augment your natural light exposure, it is still critical that you be outside as often as possible during the winter. After all, vitamin D (often known as the sunlight vitamin) is best absorbed through the skin.
It is an opportunity to get some fresh air and sunlight. Go for a winter trek, ice skating, snowshoeing, or a raucous game of snow angels with a friend. Daily cardiovascular exercise will not only keep you fit and active during the winter, but it will also raise your mood (thanks to happy endorphins).
Maintain a Schedule.
When it comes to working, sleeping, exercising, and eating, one thing is very important: following a schedule. So try to resist the temptation to stay up late or sleep too long in winter. The same goes for eating healthy and balanced meals throughout the day.
Sticking to a regular sleep, exercise, and eating schedule will help keep your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle balanced. This cycle controls how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Eat to Improve Hormone Balance.
In addition to your circadian rhythms, melatonin significantly impacts your need to sleep and hibernate throughout the winter. It also impacts your sleeping-waking schedule, mood, energy levels, and risk of seasonal affective disorder.
During the dark, chilly winter months, your body produces more melatonin, which explains why you need to curl up on the sofa and stay there until spring.
Morning Walk and Greet.
We already know that getting some exercise in the morning will help enhance your energy, mood, and metabolism for the day ahead. That’s why, even if you can’t get out for a run every day in the middle of winter, a morning walk will suffice!
Lace up your snow boots for a vigorous hour-long stroll to meet the sun. Not only will the early morning rays help alleviate SAD symptoms (whether the sun is out or not). Remember that it will take around three days of sun exposure outside to alleviate your symptoms if you suffer from SAD.
