How to Beat The Winter Blues

Tips for Staying Happy During the Winter

Many people find themselves in a sadder mood as the days get shorter. You might have the winter blues during the holidays or fall into a depressed slump after the most wonderful time of the year.

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans experience a drop in their mood during winter. Regardless of how you have gotten the winter blues, there are ways to make the winter months more manageable. Listed below are some ways to beat the winter blues:

Stay Active

When the weather is colder, we deal with a lot of precipitation, such as snow, hail, and ice. The change in the weather makes it harder to go outside for some fresh air.

Although the weather is colder during the month, it is good to stay active. Being active can boost your mood and help you feel less sluggish during the winter. Instead of walking outside or jogging, you can pick up a new winter sport, like going skiing or ice skating.

Eat Healthy

The weather makes it easy to become sedentary in the winter months. Sometimes, when the weather is cold, we lean toward tasty comfort foods like cinnamon rolls and pie.

Eating sweets and salty foods is good in moderation. Diets that are high in sugar can worsen depression. You don’t have to skip out on the warm cinnamon buns. Just add more fruits, vegetables, and healthy soups to your diet for a good balance.

Spend Time with Friends

Loneliness can trigger depression, especially during the winter months. Studies have shown that spending time with friends relieves stress and boosts your mood.

You can go out to eat, have a snowball fight, see a movie, or sit around a campfire. You don’t have to go through the winter by yourself. Surrounding yourself with friends will give you the support you need when feeling down.

Find a Hobby

One way to beat the winter blues is to do something that will occupy your mind. When we have too much time, we have time to think, and sometimes, we can have negative thoughts.

Think about something you love to do and incorporate it into your daily routine. Doing something you are passionate about during the winter will make the months fly by because you stay busy.

One of the best types of hobbies is hobbies that involve being creative. You can print out coloring pages, write in a journal, create artwork, or learn a new skill. No matter what hobby you decide to do, you should always have fun.

The colder months do not have to affect your mood. These tips will help add a little sunshine during the winter and make the winter months easier to get through.