5 Ways To Cope With Seasonal Depression
Some of us love it, some of us dread it. The fall/winter transition and the inevitable time change. Something that has helped me along the way is to view how I internally change as the seasons change. Over time, I have observed prior to time change occurring I start to wind down at the end of the summer to transition myself into the coziness of the fall.
Here are a few ways to help manage this transition:
Stay active
Staying active through the winter can be daunting. The cold settles in and most of us would rather stay indoors and cosy up with our favourite warm drink. However, staying active has many benefits for your overall health. It helps fill up some time where you might have pondered on other things that are not as pleasant. Whether it’s going to a local gym, attending a yoga class, spin class, find something that you enjoy and that gives you an incentive to attend. Sometimes it’s just knowing how good we are going to feel once we have done it.
Try embracing slowing down
This may sound counterintuitive but embracing slowing down and the calmness around you can be helpful. As we see summer coming to an end, it might be beneficial to start shifting ourselves into the slower seasons. Find a new hobby that can keep you busy during the winter months. This can be anything! A few examples would be knitting, crochet, learning to play an instrument, jigsaw puzzles, baking, reading, to name a few. Try being more present with yourself and enjoy the time you get to be with yourself through these months.
Eat a balanced diet
Try to stay on track with your eating habits. This does not mean you cannot treat yourself to comfort food, it is simply a way for you to keep feeling good about yourself. Eating plenty of veggies, fruit and protein, and avoiding foods that contribute to making you feel bloated and sluggish. You may want to consider limiting your alcohol consumption through this time and turn to a mocktail alternative.
Expose yourself to sunlight
Let’s face it, we don’t get as much sunlight as we do all summer long. Getting some sun daily can help keep your mood elevated. Leave the blinds up to let the sun into your home. Go for a walk around the block in the morning to feel some sun on your skin. Find small ways to spend some time with the sun in the morning and evening.
Stay connected with friends and family
Stay connected with people you enjoy being around. Keep communication open and make plans with them to get you out of the home occasionally. Reach out to your support network when needed. Find a place to volunteer. This will help you stay connected with others as well as stay active in your community. Humans crave connection. This is an important part of our emotional and mental well-being.
One last piece to all of this, try keeping a routine. Routine can help you maintain all the above mentioned. Waking at the same time everyday can set the day for you where you have time to wake up and have that morning ritual. It can help you stay on track with your goals for the day and help you feel at ease.
Just a few more months! We can get through this.
