30 best ways to combat seasonal depression

It's time to leave light.


When you feel shot down in the dark and cold winter months, people usually fear it until "winter blues", but it's a lot more than that. About five percent of US adults face seasonal emotional disorders (SAD) - which involves a change similar to depression with symptoms ranging from feeling sad to a change of appetite and energy, up to 40 % of the year. (In other words: a long period.) And if you wonder how to fight seasonal depression, we have covered you.

While you may not be able to change time and get out of the sun from under the shadows, you will definitely want to read the following tips to combat seasonal depression. And if you are on the market for a Surefire instant mood booster? Know thatSay that this word will increase your mood by 25%.

1
Try light therapy

Light Therapy

When the sun is nowhere to be found, you have to go with the best thing to do: light therapy. The boxes vary depending on the size (this portable option is $ 33 onAmazonAnd are quite effortless. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), all you have to do is dedicate about 20 minutes or more a day to sit in front of the light, preferably just after your awakening. While filtering the harmful UV rays, you will get a good mood, and in a week of treatment, you can already see that the symptoms disappear. And for more grade-has ways to stimulate your mood, here is here70 genius tips to become instantly happy.

2
Start watching winter differently

Playing in the Snow

When you are a child, the winter is your playground: you will make the sleigh, build strong and snowmen and have snowgacked angina until your cheeks are numb. The winter as an adult, on the other hand, is not so glamorous: it's dark, dark, and your numbness usually occurs to try to scratch all the ice of your car windshield.

It might be difficult to change your state of mind, but do as the citizens of Tromsø, Norway, where the sun does not grow at all for a few months: see black and cold as once to continue personal growth and comfortably with family and friends. Because of their positive perspectives,investigation Found Norwegian had surprisingly low winter depression. It can be difficult to recycle your brain, but it can make your mental health. And if you are just looking to escape and direct you somewhere warm, check these8 exclusive trips to take with friends.

3
Alcohol

Drink Less Alcohol

Your favorite red wine could help you keep you warm and prepare for holiday meetings without going crazy, but you may want to adjust this glass. Because it's a depressant, a 2007 study published in the journalPsychiatry search Found excessive use has been linked to sad, then the cup of your diet could make your mental health. Use these7 genius tips to successfully navigate your dry January For additional help.

4
Stop sleeping in

Waking Up

Hibernate door during the winter, so why can not we? It is tempting to sleep the day when the temperature falls, but it will not enjoy your mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's important not to sleep too much: get what you need, but do not sleep in. Instead of getting up early and start your day with something active and a hearty breakfast, no matter the temptation to stay hidden under the blankets. And for more rounds to make the most of 24 hours, discover29 best body hacks to maximize your day.

5
Find a window seat

Businessman Looking out the Window

Some days, you can not even see the sun; You head in the office while it is always dark, and leave as nightfall. To get a small sunlight in your life - that APA says can help improve your symptoms - find a place to work through a window to give you a magnitude of the mood. And if this is not possible where you work, take small breaks to walk and get as much light as possible throughout the day. Provides, a small sun can help you achieve this weight loss goal. For more, readWhy Sunshine is your ultimate secret weapon of weight loss.

6
Fill your home with plants

Home with Plants

Once the winter rolls around, all outside begins to die and all greenery disappears. You do not need to wait for spring to see off, however, bring many plants to your home to deliver things, illuminate your mood and get a healthy air flow. See them Growing up will give you a renewed sense of purpose.

7
Meditate every day

Man Meditating in Office

Similarly, you have already heard a million times. The benefits of meditation are expanding and taking the time to use the technique of the mind can help you considerably deal with seasonal depression, explains the Mayo clinic. If you do not know where to start, start slowly and use daily guided meditations on an application likeHeadache or incorporate them at the end of your workouts, as through motion and meditation, Kait Hurley, do - anywhereOnline workouts. Bonus: Daily meditation is one of40 amazing habits to adopt after 40 years.

8
Plan regular meetings with friends

Coffee with Friends

When treating sadness, it is much easier to stay at home watching TV than to see friends, but socialization is so important, explains the Mayo Clinic. While a small serve of custody monitoring has never hurt anyone, there are many benefits to getting out and talking with people you like face-to-face. Even seize coffee or dinner a few times a week will increase your mood considerably.

9
Set up a trip

Tropical Vacation

Why stay in the cold if you can afford to escape? Make a tradition to book a fun trip with friends of the death of winter at a beautiful and tropical place - or at least somewhere with a lot of warmth and sun. Get this physicsandMental escape will be instantly confronted with your mood and help you better deal with the weather once you come home. Need a big journey #inpo? To verifyThis town of fairy tale in Holland where the streets are entirely made of water.

10
Charge on asparagus

Asparagus

If you do not already consume asparagus on a weekly basis, you may want to start adding it on your plate. As a major source of tryptophan - one of the main plants-based sources, it helps your body create serotonin against depression. Yes, simply eat more greens. And for more plan advice, you should also charge yourself on the30 best foods to optimize your energy levels.

11
Invest in a new alarm clock

Alarm Clock

Instead of waking up with an annoying and annoying awakening in the dark early morning, change your routine to help you fight. A 2006 study published in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry found using a dawn stimulator - likePHILIPS Wake Up Light This imitates the rising sun - allows you to wake up more naturally, acting as antidepressant (less pills).

12
Try the therapy

Therapy Session

Not only a therapy, however - a behavioral therapy cognitivo, which published a 2015 study in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry Found is not just great to fight sad, but making sure that it does not return. These participants in the study in particular have challenged negative thoughts on winter and avoided behaviors than to affect their moods, but the actual techniques differ from the therapist to the therapist.

13
Go for a walk

Walking in Winter

Of course, it's cold - but outdoors is always ideal for your mental health, whatever the season. Whether in the morning before work or during your lunch break, take the time to take a little light every time you can. The breathing in the fresh air will make your body well, says the Mayo clinic.

14
To eat chocolate

Eating Chocolate

whonotGet a little happier after eating a bite or two of chocolate? As long as you choose some 70% cocoa or more, you will get a healthy dose of endorphins, which allows you to feel instant happiness precipitation. Just do not go to the sea: Remember to have a little bit about your sad daily treatment, not from the entire bar.

15
Pamper yourself with a massage

Man Receiving Massage

You should have a massage on the regular reasons for stress reasons, but a person who works on all your kinks can also help seasonal depression. According to a 2009 review published in theInternational newspaper of neuroscienceThe time spent in pure relaxation mode can help increase serotonin and dopamine from your body, offering you instantaneous magnitude. And for more help in your mood, learnThe best way to reduce stress.

16
Volunteer

Man Reading to Kids

It does not matter if you help children do their homework in an after-school program or walking dogs. Get out of the house and do good not only you get fresh air and sunlight, but it also makes good for others, allowing you to feel well on several levels. In addition, who knows - maybe you will end up bringing one of those pretty puppies at home with you.

17
Become an artist

Painting

You do not need to be on Monet level to reap the benefits that a little art therapy has on your mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, the technique of creating something to create something is a painting, a drawing or even something with Play-Doh-can help mitigate your symptoms.

18
Try guided images

Man Meditating Outside

If the thought of meditation scares you, you will like guided images. The practice gives you suggestions to guide you to your mind, help you use all your senses both in the area and relax your body. It may seem silly, but close your eyes and imagine something as simple as peeling an orange and eating can help you face a little better.

19
Limit your carbohydrate consumption

Bread

When you feel in landfills, there is always something that makesallBetter: carbohydrates. (In fact, a 1997 study published in the journalNutritionshown to be depressed could be the reason for these desires of first place.) But no body fuel carbohydrates like brown rice pasta and whole wheat - simple carbohydrates that weigh your blood sugar, like Donuts and beges and cookies after the spaghetti bowl.

They could make you feel happy for a second hot, but in the end, these effects will bear and let you feel worse than before you have shot. Instead, feed your body with healthy foods - not sweet and processed stuff.

20
Eat more tropical foods

Eating Tropical Foods

If you can not escape a tropical getaway, bring your tropical getaway. Add beach foods such as coconut, pineapple and mango in your diet, so when you feel cold, you can close your eyes and imagine fine sand beaches and perfectly hot seawater. In addition, vitamin packaged goodies will benefit your health at the same time.

21
Winter your favorite season

Family in Blanket

Yes, December to March is quite dark - but it's also really great if you take full part of it. Winter is the only season you can group in blankets and drinking hot chocolate, build gingerbread houses without judgment and cuddle by fire. If you can not beat them, join them.

22
Ditch the shades in your house

Window shades
Refuge

When you suffer from sadness, you need as much light as possible - and that means it's time to get rid of these dark and thick shades. Upgrade the treatments of your window to leave the maximum amount of natural light in your home and exit in these bright areas as often as possible.

23
Limit the time on your phone

Man on Phone in Bed

To make sure your mental health is fully equipped to combat seasonal depression, you must make sure that you get the right amount of rest. Unfortunately, if you scroll through your phone all night after work, these blue lights can affect your sleep. Instead, turn your devices in airplane mode a few hours before you sleep so you can relax correctly.

24
Move your body

Girl Stretching Before Run

When you feel down, the last thing you want to do is throw your workout clothes and exercise. Getting your heart rate can be super beneficial, but especially when it becomes a habit. An easy way to do is to register for a kind of exercise program, whether it is a package of yoga classes or finding an operating group. Scott Bea, Psyd, told Clinic Cleveland the movement will produce a good chemistry of the brain, fighting against this feeling of wanting to go to bed and do nothing.

25
Marie Kondo your house

Organizing Home

Marie Kondo quickly became the Queen of the Organization with his beloved Konmari, and it might be time to start using it at home. Of course, it's a bit early for cleaning spring, but taking the time to disband and get rid of a lot of things you do not need you should not only reissue your space, but also You are allowing you to feel a lot less serious stones. And if you wonder how to fight seasonal depression, do something that only for yourself is a good place to start.

26
Have sex regularly

Intimate Partners

If you feel like sex always stimulates your mood and makes you happier, you're right: a 2015 study published in the newspaperSocial Psychology and Personality Science I examined the data of 25,000 participants and found to have sex once a week can give your mood a good boost, help get rid of any sadness related to the winter you feel.

27
Become a book

Reading a Book with Coffee

Instead of spending time on your phone or watching TV, check out your books love - you know, these things you used before broadcasting streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix entered the photo. A 2008 study published inSocial Indicators Research Found happy people spend a lot more time reading than they sit in front of television and seize a stack of your old favorites will help you feel a little better.

28
Take vitamin D supplements

Taking Vitamin D

If you wonder how to fight seasonal depression, vitamin D is a good place to start. When you have declined the activity of serotonin, you can easily start feeling down, so that it is not too surprising that the insufficiency could be insufficient of SAD. And when you have sad, you may produce less vitamin D in the first place.

Taking supplements seems to be the obvious option and even if the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) stated that there are mixed opinions on whether or not some studies show that this could work as well as luminotherapy. Eat more vitamins rich in D - like fortification swamps, mushrooms and oatmeal - and talk to your doc on adding a daily supplement in your diet to beat the blues for good .

29
Use essential oils

Essential Oils with Fresh Herbs - how to fight seasonal depression

Essential oils continue to become more and more popular; There is basically something for everyone, whether you are stressed or need energy. And - you guessed it! - There is also something for those who suffer from sad. A 2017 journal in the journalComplementary and alternative medicine based on evidenceThe essential oils found can serve as an effective therapeutic option for those with depressive symptoms and some of the best options are bergamot, lavender, chamomile and lemon.

30
Get a spray tan

Woman Getting a Spray Tan - how to fight seasonal depression

There is nothing healthy to sleep in the sun and have a real tan. A fake, on the other hand, could warn you some dark weather of winter. Even if you are going to spend most of your winter months in sweaters and jeans, get spray tan - or buy a self-tanner - like this easy to use option ofSt. Tropez - Will give you a healthy glow and make you feel a little more dynamic. And for more ways to avoid these winter blues, take a look at25 ways to beat the winter blues.

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