Chasing Away The Winter Blues
Okay, I’ll admit it; I’ve been feeling a lot less sunny lately. The ember months seem to have stolen all the sunshine I pocketed when I was in Italy this summer. All I seem to have now are candid moments captured in still photographs and memories I can only replay in my head.
As much as I’d like to have summer all year long, I know I won’t appreciate it if I did. More importantly, there is a season for everything. I know that too.
I feel like an animal fighting the urge to enter into a state of hibernation. After all, this feels like the perfect season to do so…
With afternoons that look like midnights, constant grey skies, perpetual drizzling and the post-shower shivers lasting longer than they used to, it’s no surprise I, like many of you, am feeling the blues lately.
I’ve learnt over the years that my mood gets affected a lot by the changing seasons. The wet gloominess has a way of sticking to my skin in an attempt to build a home there. It’s a day-to-day battle, but I’ve developed some winning strategies over the years that help me chase away the winter blues. Here are a few I want to share with you!
Create Your Own Sunshine.
The first thing. I find myself fighting against during the winter months is the lack of natural daylight. As a self-proclaimed night owl, it might seem like a dream perhaps, but I guess I thrive on balance rather.
Working a 9-5 you hate only gets worse when the sky above constantly screams “it’s time for bed!” when you know all too well it’s not.
We may have zero control over the colour beyond the clouds, but to a certain extent, we can create a cosy atmosphere around us down here nonetheless.
Start by making use of the little light we naturally get during the day. When the darkness strikes too soon, make sure you find ways to create your own sunshine. There are many devices that do a great job of mimicking the natural outdoor light and have been proven to help improve a person’s mood. mood. It’s called Light Therapy and can be used to compensate for the lack of exposure to sunlight. You might want to get your hands on one.
There are many ways to make a room feel instantly homey and putting up lights as decor is one of them. Whether it be scented candles or a cute moon lamp you find on sale, these are simple ways to create a cosy atmosphere effortlessly. To save energy, try rechargeable lamps, scented candles or battery-powered devices.
Vitamin A. B. C. D…
When the doctor broke the news to me that I was seriously low on vitamin D, a lot finally made sense to me. In particular, the intense sense of fatigue and weakness I couldn’t shake no matter what I did. Finding the source of a problem is the first step to solving it. Frankly, we only notice how much our health has deteriorated when we experience the final straw.
In addition, she told me the majority of people living in England do have a vitamin D deficiency due to a lack of sunshine. Well, that’s easy to believe!
I’ve been trying my best to eat healthier than I have in the past and have also been taking vitamin supplements which have been making a great deal of difference. I read somewhere that the key to our happiness might be through our gut health. Maybe, there’s some truth to that!
Keep It Moving.
Fine, I’ll admit it. I’ve been failing miserably at my gym goals to the point I can feel it deep in my bones.
Getting enough exercise has always been something that makes me feel exponentially better. Whenever I put on my gym gear and go sweat it out, I feel as though I’m putting all my energy into something valuable. Likewise, the feeling I get in return is one I can hardly replace with anything else. I better get back to it, and often too!
Manage Sleep Better.
It’s no secret how much sleep can improve mood. Following a regular sleep schedule has been doing wonders for my mental health.
This year, I also embraced the siesta fully. I didn’t believe in naps before. I used to push through the tiredness and heartfelt yawns till the dead of the night.
Now, however, my body just can’t keep up with that rhythm anymore. I found I wasn’t necessarily being productive back then, just awake.
Push Yourself Outside.
Cosy socks, a dalmatian-print duvet set, soft plushies, multicoloured lights and the red flashing logo at the start of every Netflix original series. With these at my fingertips, the idea of stepping out to brave the cold can really become an afterthought.
These days I’ve found I am really having to push myself out the door. As I continue to work from home, more often than not and aside from my regular schedules, I find no reason to leave the house really.
As of late, I’ve been enjoying going to public libraries and cafes after work hours. There I either complete tasks on my to-do or draft and write up new content too. It’s nothing I can’t do from the comfort of my bedroom, but there’s something valuable about taking up space in new environments.
Background chatter, chasing the next tram, cursing out the rain once more and fitting it all in one small bag. I choose that instead.
For some, chasing away the winter blues can be done by paying attention and changing bad habits. Others, however, might experience more severe symptoms, that go beyond feeling down when the weather changes.
Seasonal affective Disorder (SAD) is a real type of depression some experience that may occur both during winter as well as summer. Hence, if you are struggling in ways you can’t cope alone, make sure you seek advice from a health professional. Remember this too shall pass, and the blooming season will find you too.
Your restless romantic roamer
