You know what this is about. It’s that time of year when it’s perpetually dark. You leave work or class and its dark. It’s hard to get out of bed most mornings because it’s cold and dark., and you start to lack some of the energy and motivation to do the activities in your regular routine. These are what I call the winter blues. Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one who struggles with this every year. It can be hard but here are a few tips to help you combat the dark days.
- Open the shades – When you wake up in the morning, and you’re lucky enough that it is light out, open up the shades and stare out your window for a minute to soak up some light. This can help jump start your day.
- Stretch – A few minutes of stretching in the morning or at night can help alleviate some stress and may lift your spirits.
- Take a walk outside – If you work or are in class all day, try to carve out some time to take a middle of the day walk. The sunlight and fresh air will do wonders and not to mention, we could all use a mental break for a few minutes each day.
- Exercise –This one may be hard to do especially when you feel like you’re lacking the energy. What is surprising though is how much better you’ll feel once you get going and when you’re done. JUST DO IT! You won’t regret it.
- Talk to a friend - Depression, even if it's just temporary, is a serious issue. If you're feeling blue, talk to a friend. Sharing your feelings may help you refocus. If you feel like your sadness continues to affect your daily life though, seek out professional help.
