4 Ways You Can Beat the Winter Blues

If you’re anything like me, winter can sometimes get you down. Sure, the holiday season is nice and cozy. But after you get over the coziness factor, it can be kind of a drag.

The good news is that you’re not alone! The winter blues are a real thing, and there are tons of different ways to beat them. Though I can’t guarantee these tips will help you shake them off completely, they certainly do help.

However, before I start, I want to remind you that seasonal depression (known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD) does exist, and if you think that you might be dealing with it, my number one advice is to seek help. A medical professional will be able to recommend different treatment options for you.

With that said, here are my tips for shaking the wintertime blues:

1. Get outdoors! My number one tip for beating the winter blues has got to be getting outside as much as possible. Since there’s less sunlight, this can be a slight challenge, especially if you come out of class and it’s already dark. But research shows that the more sunlight you get, the more you synthesize vitamin D. And the more vitamin D you have, the less likely you are to feel down in the dumps! Simple as that. Taking a 15-20 minute walk in the middle of the day is a great way to get out in the sun, get some fresh air, and sneak in a bit of exercise too.
 

2. Go workout! Speaking of exercise, winter is no excuse to slack on your workout game. The extra endorphins can only help ward off those winter blues. As an added bonus, you’ll get to see progress made during a time that many people fall off their fitness regimens.

3. Enjoy a night in. One of my favorite things to do in the winter when I’m feeling down is to have a night in and just relax. I don’t know about you, but I love any night that involves fuzzy pajamas, movies, and just hanging out with people that I love. Spending time relaxing is so important all year round, but especially when you’re predisposed to the blues.

4. Write it down. My last tip is to keep a gratitude journal. Recognizing the good things in your life definitely helps combat those feelings of “EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG” that come with the winter blues. Try it for a week. Every day, list out 5 things you are grateful for that day (and try not to repeat). I bet you’ll feel better!

So those are my top tips for beating the winter blues. I hope that you can put them to use this winter if need be. Stay warm!