8 Ways to Break Free From The Winter Blues

Photo by jasper guy on Unsplash

The winter blues commonly occur when people are feeling more lethargic and down during the colder months. There are a number of reasons why this happens. Part of it has to do with there being less sunlight because the days are shorter which can disrupt levels of Vitamin D that help with our mood and mental health. This phenomenon can also be attributed to a disrupted circadian rhythm. When your Vitamin D is low, you also have a greater risk of depression and fatigue.

During the winter, we also tend to have less scheduled activities which gives us fewer opportunities for exercise causing us to become more sluggish and lethargic. Also, when it’s cold outside, people tend to stay indoors more, which can get monotonous and lead to boredom. Holiday-related stress and genetic factors can also play a role. For most people, however, the winter blues tend to be relatively mild.

Here are eight ways to break free from these seasonal blues if you are experiencing them:

1. Do something active. When you get exercise, you release endorphins which will boost your mood. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy or elaborate either. A simple walk down the street can get your mood turning in a more positive direction.
2. Try light therapy. You can use a light box or get outside and grab some good old-fashioned sunshine. This…