Are you feeling a little blue?
A bit snarky and agitated?
Are your moods lower than usual?
During our client and group sessions these past few weeks, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been a hot topic. Coupled with year two of a pandemic, mental health challenges are on the rise. It doesn’t help that we have some wonky weather patterns happening as well. This means we all need to double down on a few things these next six winter weeks to help feel better. Here are three ideas to get you started.
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Get some sun.
Any amount will do. We suggest being outside and watching the sunrise or sunset. It can do marvelous things for our melatonin reset – the hormone that helps manage our sleep/wake cycles. This hormone gets thrown out of whack in the winter with our aversion to being cold. Bundle up and get outside, turn your face to the sun and let your face turn to a smile. It’s free medicine.
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Move.
Our sedentary nature is literally making us depressed and causing us to make less than ideal choices about food and entertainment. Your future self will be thrilled with you when you move. Any amount to get your blood pumping is healing for body and mind. One client committed to doing a set of exercises every hour for 5 minutes. If your sleep is all messy right now, we promise if you move more, your rest will be better. (Note: the opposite is also true – so for you who do a ton of exercise, well, you better be resting just as hard!)
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Do what brings you joy.
When we become apathetic, we often shun the very thing that lights us up. Do you have a project you’ve wanted to start – or finish; a hobby you loved years ago; a group of people you want to connect with… One person started a soup-swap with neighbors and even though they aren’t physically eating together, the personal outreach is making everyone feel better. Gratitude and acts of service are a good match. Maybe a soup kitchen or animal shelter needs a helping hand. Joy comes in all sorts of ways and we wish you an infusion this winter.
