For many of us, winters are challenging. Days are shorter and nights longer. Some leave for work in the dark, and come home in the dark, no wonder why we feel down.
While there are many tips out there on how to brighten up your winter, we chose to share the two easiest ways to wash away your seasonal blues.
Eating right is living right!
Brian Krans and Rena Goldman writing for healthline.com suggest making small changes to our diet to improve our mood during winter.
Top up on Omega-3 fatty acids!
Krans and Goldman recommend foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, or flax seeds. Research by the University of Pittsburgh cited by Krans and Goldman shows that people with high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids are less prone to depression.
Increase consumption of foods rich in folic Acids!
Foods such as spinach, pasta, citrus fruits, or cereals are brimming with folic acids. When we consume these foods, our brain releases a neurotransmitter called serotonin, helping to boost our mood.
And my favorite- Dark Chocolate!
There is evidence that dark chocolate can improve your mood: researchers found that when they served “participants a dark chocolate mix every day for month”, it significantly lifted their spirits. Researchers correlated this finding with food or drink with a high-level “polyphenol content (polyphenols are a category of an antioxidant)”
Get out, Get Active, and Socialize!
When the cozy warmth of your home is more welcoming than the icy weather outside, the temptation is to remain cocooned indoors.
However, as minutes turn into hours, you gradually sink into yourself more, the negative voice inside your head becomes more potent, making getting out – even when it is pleasant outside – a near-impossible feat.
So how do you break this negative cycle? Get active!
There are plenty of ways to do this; take a walk through your local park, go on a nature hike, or go biking. Even after a short while, you will feel uplifted.
If the weather is too cold for biking or hiking, why not grab a coffee, hot chocolate, or a nutritious meal with friends?
Among the more rewarding ways to get active and interact with people is by giving back to your community through volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities at old age homes, homeless shelters, or in a soup kitchen, so why not start today?
Make this winter different and Wash Away your Winter Blues!
If every year is the same, and you find yourself battling your winter blues, why not make changes today? To improve your mood, you need to take an active role. The changes you make can be small. With each adjustment you make, whether it is eating healthier, going out to do the things you love such as biking, walking, or socializing, it will make a long-lasting impact on your life; so when winter comes around again, you won’t need to dread it, but embrace it.
If you would like additional ideas about how to overcome your winter blues – click here!
To learn more about the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – click here!