Overcome Your Winter Depression
I'm sure you've felt it, people have been talking about it, and I don't feel like I know anything anymore. This is winter depression. How do we deal with the symptoms? What are some of the best ways to boost our moods and cheer up when we're feeling down?
The good news is that there are lots of things out there that can be done to help us out in this season. We all need to be patient with ourselves and do our best. Sometimes we need a boost to get over the hump. So, that's not a bad thing. There's no reason to give up all together, even if it takes a bit of time.
I'm going to outline some of the things you can do to help lift your spirits and make your winter blues less of a drag. We've got some ideas that are simple, but go a long way in helping us cope with winter depression.
Help Yourself
The first and foremost thing you need to do is take care of yourself. If you're feeling down, start with your sleep. This is the most important thing. If you're not getting enough sleep, it's going to make things worse for sure. So, start there! Try making some changes in your schedule so that you are getting enough time to sleep each night. Have a routine that helps ease you into sleeping more comfortably each night. If you're having a hard time getting to bed, try using a sleep aid.
Why do we sleep so much? Well, it's a good thing that we do. We need it! Our bodies and minds go through lots of changes when we're asleep. A lot of things are going on at the same time as our bodies are healing, rejuvenating, repairing themselves and growing while we are sleeping. So, be sure to get enough rest by monitoring how long you've been sleeping each night. The average person needs about 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
Next up, exercise! This is a great way to take your mind off of things. Plus, it's good for you. There are lots of ways that you can get the kind of exercise that's right for you. You know what will work best for you and your lifestyle so don't worry about getting everyone else's opinion on this one. Just make sure it's something that works for you and gives you some results! You'll feel better, I promise.
Get Outdoors
Okay, the next thing you'd probably want to do is spend some time outdoors. This can be on a hike, a bike ride or something of that nature. Take in some fresh air and enjoy the scenery. You don't have to spend hours outside going for a run, just enough so that you feel refreshed. There's no better way out there for getting your head straight than enjoying nature and feeling all those benefits people talk about.
Stick with the things you like
This is something that's usually overlooked. We can get caught up in a million things. It seems like everyone has a different way of doing things so it's hard for us to know what we're supposed to do. The thing is, we have to have a routine. We've got to stick with the things that we like and make sure that we don't overdo it. Try keeping your schedule light on the activities you do in the evening. If you've got too many things on your plate, it's going to be too hard for you to get through them all and get everything done.
Have fun!
If you're feeling down, try doing some things that make you happy. We can get caught up in thinking that we have to do certain things or have to follow a set of rules. That just makes us feel worse because we feel like there are things that are wrong with us. Do what you love and it will help boost your mood.
As you can see, there are lots of ways that you can help yourself get through the winter blues. Try at least one of these tips to help you get on the right track. If you do any of these things, and they don't work out, then don't give up. You're not alone and there are other people who feel the same way that you do. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and do what you can to get through this.
If you're still feeling down, try getting in touch with a friend or family member who can help you through the winter blues. Try talking about your feelings or any other issues you're going through right now. You may find that you feel better just getting things out there on the table so that you don't have to carry them around inside of you anymore.
Conclusion
We have to take care of ourselves when it comes time for getting through the winter blues. There are different things that work for different people, so do your best and don't be afraid to try something new. You may be surprised at what it can do for you. The main thing is, don't give up and make sure you're taking care of yourself. You deserve better than that.