Blue crisp skies in the winter is a pretty amazing sight especially for the people of British Columbia Canada. Our Canadian province to the east Alberta is completely used to seeing beautiful blue skies all winter but residing in BC we are not as blessed in this realm.
I mean don't get me wrong, the natural beauty of BC is next to none on this planet and trust me when I say I have checked but blue skies in the winter are not our forte. We tend to get a lot of fog and lower laying clouds during the winter so when the skies are blue the world (or at least the people of BC) are happy!
It is actually quite impressive how much the weather can effect everyones mood. I hear a lot of friends including myself losing motivation to be active or social, and feeling over all low energy. Sometimes people say they are seasonal, meaning they feel more blue in the winter while others straight up get S.A.D.
S.A.D or Seasonal Affective Disorder is essentially having depression but only due to the winter season. It effects different people to different degrees, some just feel a little off and low energy, so become completely hopeless until spring!
Like most things in this world there are healthy natural ways to deal with the symptoms of SAD and treat this disorder, the only trick is you have to do the treatment every year, of just skip the whole thing and fly south!
Pick up a winter sport
Enjoying your self outside and getting some exercise is one of the best ways to combat SAD's. Being outside in the fresh air is amazing and moving your body will always increase endorphins making their way to your brain which will put a smile on your face. Plus if you decide to do something outdoors like skiing, skating or snowshoeing (we apparently like our S activities in the winter) you might just end up with some sunshine in your face.
Supplement with Vitamin D
Sunshine provides you with Vitamin D so why not take it in a vitamin to supplement what you are not getting from day to day life? Did you know you can buy vitamin D right in the vitamin section of your local health food store? I know a lot of people swear by vitamin D to keep the blues away.
Eat
If you are not into taking supplements you can always try to get vitamin D through your food. The recommended list for vitamin D rich foods is; fatty fish, egg yolk, cheese, beef liver and vitamin D fortified drinks such as milk, oj or soy milk. This could not be your exclusive diet but adding a few of these items to your menu might make you smile a bit more.
Light exposure
Sunshine is what it is all about, it is what makes people happy so why not fake it? Indoor tanning or light therapy will trick your body into thinking it is getting sun and will help your brain to change your mood. Just to be clear I am not recommending anyone get addicted to indoor tanning because it may create other health issues but tanning in moderation may help with SAD's.
Socialize
Take the time to peel yourself off the couch and make your self presentable then head out the door! Go see friends or family or whoever it is that puts a smile on your face. Getting dressed up and looking nice will make you feel better about yourself than wearing stained sweatpants and an old Pink Floyd t-shirt will and that is just the by-product. Go out, see some people, interact with the world, do something fun with your friends! This should help to raise your serotonin and keep your frown upside down :)
Get away
I realize not everyone has the means to just pick up and ship off some tropical destination but you may want to plan your next vacay in the winter so you can recharge your body with some much needed sun rays to keep your mood lifted! That little break in the sunshine might help you make it until spring!
All in all there are a lot of tricks to getting yourself through the winter smiling, they of course are just suggestions, things that have worked for me and my circle. Try one or try them all see what brings a little sunshine into your world!
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