Defeat the Winter Blues

Did you know that roughly 15% of Canadians experience the winter blues?

During the fall and winter months, when the days are shorter, darker, and cooler, it’s not uncommon to experience the negative effects of fatigue, a decrease in motivation, being less active, and experience feelings of sadness and stress from external sources, such as the holidays. This can be due to an over stimulation of melatonin (the hormone that helps us sleep), due to the lack of sunlight.

Sleep, sleep, sleep

You may also have noticed an inclination to want to sleep in a bit longer, to spend less time with others and more time at home, partaking in more solitary activities. Not to mention, an increased appetite for more carbs and comfort foods.

The good news is the winter blues is a mild condition that doesn’t inhibit our ability to enjoy life. It is temporary and ends after a few weeks.

I like to think of it as a “hibernation phase” with a desire to curl and cozy up in front of a fireplace, while pampering ourselves from the void we experience of the cold, dark winter days and nights.

However, we don’t have to succumb to the lures of the winter blues; we can challenge them! We can look at the colder days through a different lens, by bundling up and getting outside, especially when it’s sunny.

We can appreciate the sensations we feel when the cooler air caresses our face and fills our lungs with an invigorating sensation, while appreciating the beauty of a white snowy day.

Get social!

Socializing and getting together during the winter months helps us to feel connected.

We could organize a potluck dinner, have a card or board games night, or have some friends over to watch a movie or sports event, while ordering in a pizza.

Connecting with people helps keep us busy and less likely to dwell on our loneliness.

Stay active

Staying active is also important for our physical and mental health, as it helps to boost our moods and keeps us in shape.

If you don’t feel the urge to venture out into the cold, you could get active by playing your favourite music toons while dancing in your home or join an online aerobic or yoga class.

Or, if you are up to the challenge, you can learn a new winter sport, like snow shoeing, cross country skiing or ice skating, etc.

Self care

Lastly, self-care is critical. We need to ensure we are eating well balance and nutritious meals, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, (but not too much!), and exercising regularly.

This will go a long way to keep those seasonal blues at bay.

Also, remember to be kind to yourself, do things that make you happy and pat yourself for your efforts.

Let’s try to turn the winter blues into a winter bliss!