Looking out the window on this cold, October afternoon, one can’t help but notice the changes. Leaves are falling en masse, the temperature is constantly dropping, and the vibrant colors, so omnipresent during the summer and early autumn, give way to an almost monochromatic grey. To quote Ned Stark from Game Of Thrones – “winter is coming.”
If visual and physical change for the worse was not enough, winter also has some negative impact on our wellbeing. The so-called winter blues can sometimes develop into a seasonal affective disorder, a form of mild depression related to the reduced sunlight levels during the cold period.
Luckily, numerous tried and tested methods of dealing with it exist, including purchasing CBD products, increasing physical exercise, following a well-balanced diet, going outside as much as you can, sleeping at least 8 hours every night, and even considering medication like SSRI. Explore the tips below and help yourself enjoy winter as much as other seasons.
6 Easy Ways How To Beat the Winter Blues
Purchase and Use CBD Products
According to https://www.thryvorganics.com/, CBD can be a powerful support for depression and anxiety treatments, but it can also help with seasonal affective disorder. CBD has been found to increase the production of serotonin in the brain, which regulates mood, social behavior, sleep, pain, appetite, memory, concentration, body temperature, sexual desire, etc. Moreover, CBD promotes the growth of new neural pathways in the hippocampus, which is essential for cognitive function, including learning and memory. These two properties are crucial for effectively fighting depression.
If you want to try this, start by purchasing CBD products from a reputable brand. Once you have them, there are two ways you can go about using them to fight seasonal affective disorder.
The first option is to apply CBD topically – through CBD lotions or creams. Massage it all over your body and make sure to follow the producer’s recommendations to use enough. Slowly but surely, you will start feeling the effects.
The second way is to consume CBD edibles, including numerous products, such as oils, tinctures, vapes, cookies, gummies, and more.
Increase Physical Exercise
It goes without saying that increased physical exercise will help your overall happiness and well-being. However, there’s more to it than that. According to research, 30 minutes of moderate exercise increase levels of cortisol and other hormones responsible for boosting mood and motivation. This means that physical activity is an excellent method for dealing with seasonal affective disorder.
To get the most out of exercise when combating SAD, you need to do it every day. It doesn’t have to be intensive cardio or strength training, just a simple walk around the neighborhood will do.
If you don’t have the time to exercise every day, consider doing it 3-4 times during the week, with no more than two days between sessions. This will also help you get in shape for spring.
Consume a Well-Balanced Diet
One of the best things you can do for your both mental and physical health is to be mindful of what you eat. A well-balanced diet helps your body produce serotonin and dopamine – key elements in regulating your mood and keeping yourself motivated throughout the day.
As such, try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. Instead of getting your calories from carbs, fat, and protein, focus on high-fiber foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – leafy greens, nuts, legumes, fish, fruits, and veggies.
Go Outside as Much as You Can
Another great method for dealing with SAD is to simply go outside as much as you can. This will help you boost your vitamin D levels, which is essential for good mood, stress management, sleep regulation, and even weight control.
The best thing about this method is that it’s completely free. If you live in an area with low temperatures during the day, try to go outside when the sun is still up or in the morning when it’s already risen, but the temperature is still low. This way, you will get the most out of your vitamin D.
Sleep At Least 8 Hours Every Night
Getting enough sleep is imperative for a healthy mind and body, and it helps you stay focused at work, be happy with your life in general, and regulate your appetite.
If you want to get the most out of your sleep, try going to bed at the same time every night, no matter what day of the week it is. This will help your body adjust to a regular cycle and make sure you get enough rest every single night.
Consider Medication
Finally, if you have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder – seek professional help. The first step is to talk to your doctor about the drugs that are available for dealing with it. It can be one of the SSRI antidepressants, which are very efficient at helping people with mild depression and SAD.
If the first option doesn’t work for you – consider talking to your doctor about light therapy. This involves using special lights that mimic natural sunlight. It has been found to be highly effective.
Conclusion
The winter blues and seasonal affective disorder aren’t the nicest things that can happen to you, but they’re not the end of the world either. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can easily deal with them and enjoy the season as much as other seasons.
Whether it’s winter blues or seasonal affective disorder, the tips and tricks mentioned above should help you deal with it and maybe even begin to like winter as well.
Remember that your physical and mental health is essential, and you need to do your best to maintain it, no matter the season or other circumstances.
