How to Cope With the Winter Blues

The winter blues is a disorder that usually affects individuals who reside in northern areas. The scientific name is seasonal affective disorder and anywhere from 5 to 14 percent of people may experience it.

People with SAD are usually unhappy and depressed, and those dealing with it might be more likely to get sick. According to psychologist John M. Grohol, the winter blues generally occur during the winter months because of the lower temperatures and shorter days.

Things You'll Need

• Healthy foods
• Bright lighting

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Instructions

• 1

  Try light therapy. Light is important for our health and our functioning is affected by how long we are exposed to it. Our hormones can cause the winter blues due to a lack of light in winter. So it is essential that you receive a good amount of bright light. For those who don't wake up easily in the morning when it is still dark out, a dawn simulator could help. It is a computerized tool that is connected to a bedside lamp, and the light increasingly brightens your room to simulate sunshine starting about 45 minutes before you want to get up.

• 2

  Exercise to enhance your mood and minimize stress. This boosts serotonin levels which helps get rid of sad feelings. According to Dr. Martha Howard, medical director of Wellness Associates of Chicago, you should work out 30 to 45 minutes, four to six times a week. Grohol says that working out for an hour outside has the same effect as 2 and a half hours of indoor light therapy. Walking, running, sledding and skiing have been shown to help those dealing with the blues feel better.

• 3

  Eat well. You should eat starchy vegetables, foods with lots of carbohydrates and supplements with B-complex vitamins. Keeping a good diet is one of the best things you can do to deal with the blues.