Make these easy lifestyle changes to help boost your mood this season.
In the depths of winter, it might seem like spring will never come. If the cold, snowy, or icy conditions are affecting the way you feel, there are things you can do to help boost your mood until the flowers start to peek through.
Here’s a fresh take on how to beat the winter blues:
- Brighten up your environment
- Make sure to get your vitamins
- Go for a brisk walk
- Make yourself an upbeat playlist
- Spend an afternoon with a friend
- Attend a comedy show or watch a funny movie
Continue reading to learn more about how to beat the winter blues and the research behind it all.
1. Brighten up your environment
Maximizing natural lighting in your environment or using artificial light box therapy can both help battle symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). When you’re indoors, try to situate yourself near a window. Getting as much natural light as you can this time of year helps keep your circadian rhythm in check so your brain can stay balanced and happy.
2. Make sure to get your vitamins
Vitamin D is the famous “sunshine vitamin” that is often recommended for those cold, dark winters as we wrote about last year. However, it’s not the only vitamin that can have an impact on your mood. In particular, the vitamin B family—including B-12, B-6, and folate—are linked to mood as well. If you’re wondering which vitamins are right for you, or if you need a vitamin supplement at all, ask your doctor or dietitian to help you develop a vitamin regimen based on your health and dietary needs.
3. Go for a brisk walk
Exercise is another effective natural way to beat the winter blues, and it doesn’t have to be an hours-long sweat session to work its magic. A 30-minute walk every weekday might be all you need. Walking outdoors might not be feasible during the winter, so consider an indoor walking regimen using a treadmill or head to your local shopping mall, track, or another walk-friendly public place.
Check out more indoor-friendly workouts for seniors – and everyone – on our blog.
4. Make yourself an upbeat playlist
To beat the winter blues, psychology research reveals a powerful link between upbeat music and mood. Whether you like to listen to CDs, digital devices, or even a record collection, keep some uplifting songs around to help you find your groove. Some music streaming programs like Spotify have playlists that others have created, with themes such as “mood booster” or “happy hits,” so you can try those to discover new tunes or artists you may enjoy.
5. Spend an afternoon with a friend
Friendships help make us healthier and happier, so dedicating some quality time to making your social connections flourish is another way to help beat the winter blues. Spending time around positive people can promote a positive mindset too. Joy is contagious in the best kind of way! If it’s too snowy or cold to get together in person, give your pal a call instead. If hearing loss makes phone calls difficult, learn how CapTel captioning technology can make sure you catch every word.
6. Attend a comedy show or watch a funny movie
Laughter is a powerful tool for beating the winter blues—so much so that it can help counter depressive symptoms. That’s right: a fun night out or an afternoon curled up in front of the TV could be just what the doctor ordered! Invite a friend, spouse, or child; this is medicine you can share with those you care about.
For even more winter mood-lifting tools in your arsenal, check out last year’s post on how to beat the winter blues from our blog or browse our fast-growing library of other health and wellness posts.
The above information is provided for the education and enjoyment of our readers and is not intended as medical advice for clinical depression. Please check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
