One of the problems inherent in winter in the UK is seasonal blues. The weather is damp and dreary, the daylight hours are shorter, and, once the festive season has come and gone, there isn't a great deal to look forward to. Even if you're not suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, it's easy to feel down in spirits.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which we might combat this, and booster our mood throughout the season. Let's look at how.
Understand Why Winter Affects Your Mood
Before we can fix this problem, however, we'll need to understand what causes it. The direct cause is a lack of sunlight. When we don't spend as much time in the sun, we lose out on valuable hormones like serotonin and melatonin which are there, respectively, to regulate our moods and our sleep patterns.
If you don't make enough of these hormones, then you'll be more likely to suffer from depression and poor sleep. But there are also social disadvantages to winter. During January, after the New Year celebrations have died down, your social life might decline and this can also be bad news for your mental health.
Make the Most of Natural Light
There's an obvious solution, here. We should make the most of the limited daylight we enjoy. Get out into the open air, and stay there for as long as possible. A window-side desk, or a walk at lunchtime, can often make a huge difference. In some cases, it might also be appropriate to take a Vitamin D supplement. This is a nutrient that our bodies synthesise in response to sunlight. If you have darker than average skin, you'll have greater difficulty making it, which makes the case for supplements all the greater.
If you can get out of the country, and into a sunnier one, then you'll obviously benefit from more sunlight; beach holidays are therefore a popular way to escape the winter blues.
Stay Active Indoors and Outdoors
Physical activity is, of course, essential for human flourishing. But if the weather is cold, you might be less inclined to get up and out the door for a morning jog. Try to push yourself and give yourself the incentive to continue with your exercise habits. Make sure that you've got the right running footwear, and that you're not about to slip on black ice.
Connect with Others and Plan Enjoyable Activities
If you're worried about the impact of a frugal January on your social life, then you'll want to proactively plan get-togethers and activities throughout the month. Community events, clubs, and special parties can be great ways to deal with loneliness. Also, staying at home and plan game nights with family and friends can be a great opportunity to avoid the bad weather and have fun at the same time.
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