The winter blues, clinically known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, affects as many as half a million Americans each year, reports Mental Health America. More than the occasional feeling of restlessness when it's cloudy and cold outside, those suffering from the winter blues may lose interest in activities, exhibit signs of insomnia, or feel sad and depressed when the sun is hidden from the view. Stop the signs of the winter blues before it becomes more serious by drawing yourself out and doing the things you enjoy.
Go Outside
Staying inside all day can make you feel depressed and lonely, especially if it isolates you from others. Make a pointed effort to get outside at least once per day, says PsychCentral.com. Even if the weather is inclement, you can go outside and shovel the walk, go for a drive to the mall or meet up with friends for some hot chocolate. Going outside gives you a healthy dose of vitamin D, even if it's cloudy outside. Low vitamin D is often tied to depression, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Light Therapy
Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light box for a prescribed amount of time each day. Your doctor can tell you how to purchase or rent a light box through the winter months so you can reap the benefits of the sun even when it is cloudy or snowy outside. Your doctor will likely recommend the amount of time you should spend in front of the therapy box, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can start with a shorter interval of time and work up to longer periods of time as your body acclimates to the treatment.
Cognitive Therapy
During the months of winter, it can be hard to think positively. But MSNBC.com suggests turning negative thoughts into positive ones throughout the winter to avoid the winter blues. Instead of making sweeping statements about how winter might never end, think about the benefits of the winter, or some of the things that you plan on doing when the winter is over. Plan a mid-winter trip to keep your spirits high and to avoid stress, anxiety and depression relating to the weather.
Dawn Simulation
The Wall Street Journal reports that a dawn simulator can help users wake up with more energy and vitality than a traditional alarm clock. Instead of emitting a loud noise to get you out of bed, a dawn simulator begins a half hour before you set it and gradually brightens the room. At its brightest, it simulates the morning sun, which can help ease your bad mood and help you feel more positive about the day.
