How To Beat The Winter Blues Ahead Of Time
The weather can have a big effect on our mood.
Many of us feel the winter blues when it’s cold and grey and it’s common for our mental health to decline in the winter when we’re spending less time outside. Winter can also be a busy time of the year, which can increase stress and damage our moods further.
The good news is, now that fall is upon us, you don’t just have to sit and wait for the effects of winter weather to kick in. There are some things that you can start doing now to beat the winter blues ahead of time.
Get More Sleep
Getting more sleep, and getting into better sleep habits, can help you to fight fatigue over the winter. This can help to boost your mood and give your immune system a better chance to fight off winter bugs.
Try turning devices off and reading for a while before bed, instead of watching TV, make sure your bedroom is warm and cozy, and try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, to make falling asleep and waking up easier. Try to stick with this routine as much as you can, for the best results.
Keep Warm
Winter blues are typically caused by stress, fatigue, and a lack of natural sunlight, but being cold certainly won’t help. Being cold can make everything seem harder, it means that we need more energy to do the same things, and it can have a big impact on our mood and mental health.
At home, make sure you are heating is in good condition and works well, and that you use other cost-effective ways to keep your home warm. Then make sure you are wearing warm layers, and that you wrap up and keep dry when you go outdoors.
Get Outdoors
Being outdoors is good for your mental health, even when the weather is bad and there’s less sunlight. Getting out into the fresh air is good for your health and well-being and can help to keep you fit and happy.
If you run outdoors in the summer, you can continue in bad weather as long as you wear light layers, good shoes, and are careful if it’s slippery or very cold. Spending time in your garden and going for walks are great ways to get outdoors too, just make sure you wrap up warm and take care in poor weather.
Look at Your Diet
What you eat can have a big effect on how you feel, your energy levels, your health, and your mood. In cold weather, you might be tempted to reach for big comforting meals, easy takeout dinners, and rich, fatty treats. But all of this can leave you feeling guilty, sluggish, and tired.
While occasional treats are great, try to stick to a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of mood-boosting vitamins and lots of protein to boost your energy levels. Starting to take a supplement, which is a natural way to boost dopamine levels can also help you to avoid winter blues.
Make Plans for the Coming Months
Winter is often easier to deal with before Christmas when you’ve got plenty to look forward to and lots to enjoy. It’s often the start of the new year that’s the hardest when there’s less to look forward to, and we’re feeling the pinch of Christmas spending on our finances.
Make plans now for January and February, so that you’ve always got something to look forward to.
Getting outside, enjoying the fresh air as much as possible, and taking care of yourself can mean that you avoid the winter blues, and even enjoy the season.
