Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a moderate to severe form of depression marked by anxiety, fatigue and decreased energy — during the darkest days of #winter. An ounce of prevention may worth a pound of cure, Well+Good says, if you are feeling the full effect of SAD or even a mild case of the winter doldrums. Light therapy can bring some “natural-feeling, mood-boosting” rays into an otherwise dreary space. Mimicking natural sunlight, indoor lamps can be used for just 30 minutes per day to trick the body into a more sunshiny mood. #MidwinterBlahs
Tag: winter
How to Shake The Winter Blues
“More than half the people living in places where there are four seasons report having the ‘winter blues,’ a mild depression characterized by a lack of motivation and low energy,” says the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute. To elevate your mood, make peace with #winter by spending time outdoors. Eat right, but make a place for a big batch of soup. Drink plenty of water, since winter can be dehydrating even when there’s snow on the ground. And “don’t be afraid to ask for help,” CTRI says. “Speak to your doctor or call your local mental health center if your symptoms are severe and debilitating.” #MidwinterBlahs
Fighting Wintery Feelings of Gloom
#Winter may start with the excitement of the #holidays, but there’s not much to look forward to as the season progresses. Cold, gloomy #weather and social hibernation can easily trigger listlessness, sadness and depression. Combat those #blahs by planning something you look forward to, suggests Well+Good. A social event, vacation or class can get you out of the house and keep your mental state positive. Exercise — whether at the gym or on a brisk, bundled-up walk — can also elevate one’s mood. Or maybe it’s time to tackle an indoor task you skipped over the summer, like #cleaning a #closet. #MidwinterBlahs
Cleaning to Keep Winter Viruses at Bay
Many germs and viruses survive better in the cool, dry conditions that common in fall and winter, according to Healthline. Keep indoor humidity levels at 40% to 60% are optimal to make some viruses less likely to survive in the air and consider a humidifier if your humidity drops below 30%. Also identify your home’s high-touch surfaces — doorknobs, light switches, appliance handles and the like — and clean them often to reduce the chance of spread. And this may go without saying in the post-COVID era, but have everyone in the household practice frequent hand-washing. #WinterCleaning
Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
With windows shut against the cold and the heat turned up, indoor air quality can suffer. That’s why it’s important to focus on dust and allergens when performing #winter #cleaning. Be sure to dust blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and electronics; wipe down baseboards and vacuum rugs; and launder all bedding and drapes. Finally — once you’ve eliminated most of the airborne pollutants — change your furnace’s air filter to keep the air you breathe fresher. “Cleaner air reduces the risk of allergies, asthma flare-ups, and cold and flu transmission,” says Men’s Journal. #WinterCleaning