With the end of Daylight Savings Time coming this weekend, we will begin to have longer nights, colder temperatures and usually, inclement weather.
While the bears have the luxury of hibernating until spring, we humans are not quite as lucky. We’re still expected to show up to work, raise children, clean our homes, you know, live life.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real syndrome that affects people every year. While it’s important to talk to your own physician when you’re not feeling well, have a general display of malaise or you have depressed thoughts, these are some ideas to help you beat the winter blues.
- In the morning, set your alarm ten minutes early so that you can push the snooze. Immediately turn the bedside lamp on and let the light’s rays shine on you. This simple trick can simulate daylight and our eyes will react to it. You’ll feel a bit more awake than if you just stumble out of the dark bed into the dark shower.
- Make an evening plan. Try and go out one night a week. Sign up for a class. Meet a friend. Go to the movies. It doesn’t matter what you do, the important thing is to train your brain not to go into deep sloth mode. When you’re out and about, you feel more productive and energetic than you would if you’re home on the couch in your jammies. Again.
- Eat more protein. Protein can help to make us feel more alert. While our bodies may be craving the serotonin that carbohydrates provide, it’s important to balance our diets so that we don’t go into that “carb load coma.”
- Get more exercise. Take a brisk walk after dinner. Add some steps to your lunch hour. Whatever you do, you’ll feel better because you won’t be as lethargic.
- Revel in the bad weather. Take a bubble bath. Order in. Binge on movies that you normally don’t watch. Once in awhile, it helps not to fight it.
- Try and get away. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a tropical excursion. An overnight at a local hotel with room service may be all you need to have something to look forward to all week.
- Get a massage. You’ll feel pampered and refreshed.
- Drink more water. The dry air of furnaces and the harsh weather can be rough on skin. Staying hydrated helps to take that sluggish tired feeling away. In fact, usually, when we feel a bit tired, it’s because we need a glass of water.
- Get your nails done. Paint your toes a shocking shade of neon orange. Just because no one else may see them doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them.
- Have a summer bash. Make some fun summer drinks and foods. Play some beach tunes and pretend it’s July again.
