Are you suffering from the winter blues? Facing the short, dark days of winter can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you're used to spending lots of times outside during the summer months. Is there help for mood changes and seasonal depression? Read on to learn more about this condition, and to find out what you can do about it.
Winter Depression Hits All Of Us
Have you ever noticed how upbeat your mood is on a bright sunshiny day, even in the middle of winter? This is because the natural sunlight stimulates your hypothalamus. Sound a little kinky?
Not really. Your hypothalamus is part of your brain. It pretty much runs the show, controlling your appetite, your activity level, your sex drive, your body temperature, how much you sleep, and yes, your moods.
Natural light comes into your eyes, hitting your retina. During the long days of summer, all that light keeps your hypothalamus happily purring along, keeping all your body systems perking along at optimum speed.
But during the winter months, the days are shorter, so there's less sunlight. Plus you can go for days without seeing the sun. Less light means the hypothalamus slows down. And since this part of your brain regulates just about everything your body does, you slow down, too.
Do You Have Winter Blues Depression?
Symptoms of seasonal depression are less severe than those of seasonal affective disorder. Here's what to watch for.
Feeling tired and draggy
Sleeping too much
Withdrawing from social activities
Craving carbohydrates and sweets
Weight gain
Irritable
Can't concentrate
Loss of sex drive
Crying easily
What To Do About Wintertime Mood Changes
Get outside! Spending as little as an hour outside on a sunny winter day can lift your spirits immensely. Even on a cloudy day, the natural light will have an effect on your mood. Take a walk, go skiing or snowshoeing, go jogging or even ride your bike.
Open the blinds to get as much light into your home as possible. On dark stormy days, turn on a light. Don't sit around in the dark.
Do things you really enjoy. When you're down, it's easy to just sit around and mope, but all that does is make you feel worse. Stay busy with quilting, painting, woodworking, or whatever hobby you enjoy. Force yourself to get started if you have to. Sometimes it helps to have activities that you only do during the winter months.
Eat more fresh fruit and veggies. Lay off the carbs and sweets, no matter how tempting they are.
Don't oversleep. Eight hours of sleep is plenty. Make yourself get up at the same time every morning.
Decide that you're going to have an upbeat attitude. Remember that you can choose to enjoy winter, instead of dreading it.
Winter depression hits just about everyone sooner or later. By following these tips, you can make the down times a lot shorter.
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