Most of the time, you simply can't escape the winter blues. This is particularly true if going to a sunny, warm place is impossible for you. In such instances, you will have no choice but to stay and find ways to deal with the current cold, gloomy weather conditions.
In case the effects of the gloomy weather are still getting to you and your depression is getting worse, it may be time for you to see a therapist and find out if you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is a form of downheartedness that occurs when you develop symptoms of depression during the darker and cold winter months each year. Because this is prevalent during winter, it is also known as the winter blues and winter depression.The good news is that this is a condition that can easily beat by following certain tips and strategies. These include the following:
Change your diet for this season. The food you eat and don't eat can play an important role in uplifting your mood during the cold season. As much as possible, drink lukewarm water and reduce or avoid drinking cold water with ice. Also, add warm spices such as cayenne, black pepper, garlic, ginger, and horseradish to the dishes you cook. You can also increase vegetable temperatures by stir frying them in a wok or by lightly steaming them.
Paint your walls with a brighter color. The color of your home can help greatly in alleviating your mood. According to experts, the best options to go for include yellow, orange, red, and copper tones. These colors can cheer up the dimmest of moods and bring warmth into your life even when the sky is grey and the dim earth tones are all around.
Invest in some new light bulbs. The brighter your home and rooms are, the better your mood will be during winter. You can get full spectrum bulbs and use them during the season. You can also consider getting a SAD light or light therapy lamp since they are designed to provide feelings of calmness and peace.
Enjoy aromatherapy. Essential oils and aromatherapies can help with SAD since they target the part of the brain that is responsible for mood control, sleep, and hunger. Light scented candles or use the right device and oils that soothe you for this.Take warm baths frequently. Lastly, if you have or want to take a bath, do so in a bathtub. Wrap yourself in a warm cotton or wool when you get out of the tub. Also, wrap your wet hair up tight and blow it dry immediately. This is because the head is where you lose a high percentage of heat and compounding this with evaporation from wet hair will eventually leave you with a cold head.
In case the effects of the gloomy weather are still getting to you and your depression is getting worse, it may be time for you to see a therapist and find out if you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is a form of downheartedness that occurs when you develop symptoms of depression during the darker and cold winter months each year. Because this is prevalent during winter, it is also known as the winter blues and winter depression.The good news is that this is a condition that can easily beat by following certain tips and strategies. These include the following:
Change your diet for this season. The food you eat and don't eat can play an important role in uplifting your mood during the cold season. As much as possible, drink lukewarm water and reduce or avoid drinking cold water with ice. Also, add warm spices such as cayenne, black pepper, garlic, ginger, and horseradish to the dishes you cook. You can also increase vegetable temperatures by stir frying them in a wok or by lightly steaming them.
Paint your walls with a brighter color. The color of your home can help greatly in alleviating your mood. According to experts, the best options to go for include yellow, orange, red, and copper tones. These colors can cheer up the dimmest of moods and bring warmth into your life even when the sky is grey and the dim earth tones are all around.
Invest in some new light bulbs. The brighter your home and rooms are, the better your mood will be during winter. You can get full spectrum bulbs and use them during the season. You can also consider getting a SAD light or light therapy lamp since they are designed to provide feelings of calmness and peace.
Enjoy aromatherapy. Essential oils and aromatherapies can help with SAD since they target the part of the brain that is responsible for mood control, sleep, and hunger. Light scented candles or use the right device and oils that soothe you for this.Take warm baths frequently. Lastly, if you have or want to take a bath, do so in a bathtub. Wrap yourself in a warm cotton or wool when you get out of the tub. Also, wrap your wet hair up tight and blow it dry immediately. This is because the head is where you lose a high percentage of heat and compounding this with evaporation from wet hair will eventually leave you with a cold head.