How to Combat Winter Blues | Tips & Tricks

I am sure I am not the only person googling how to combat winter blues as the days become greyer and the temperatures drop. Whilst I do not suffer from SAD {Seasonal Affective Disorder}, a clinical version winter blues, I think everyone does experience it at least once. Whenever the days become shorter and darker, I find that my mood shifts and I often combat this by bingeing on movies that I have been wanting to watch but couldn’t.

So what causes SAD and how can you combat winter blues? The causes of SAD are not fully known but since they seem to have more during winter months, it is thought the shorter days and long nights have an impact. One hypothesis is that the lack of sunlight has an impact on the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain that produced hormones like melatonin {sleep} and Serotonin {mood, appetite, sleep} as well as controlling the circadian rhythm.

How to Combat Winter Blues

During the winter months, it is believed that in people with SAD, a lot of melatonin is produced many them more sleepy than usual. Serotonin improves mood and if less is produced due to lack of sunlight then its normal for people to feel a bit down and lose appetite. And we know the body uses sunlight to determine important functions like when to wake up, go to sleep and such, during winter it’s slightly confusing for the body.

So, how does one combat winter blues aka SAD? There several tricks that I use during the autumn and winter months. These tips are simple and can be adapted to your current lifestyle and routine. As an extrovert, I thrive when I am being a busy body than when I am not, and ensure I don’t change my routine too much during the colder months.

Wear Bright Colours

There is something about wearing bright colours that makes me feel like Spring and Summer as opposed to autumn and winter. If you were to look through my closet, you will notice an abundance of darker colours and this sometimes can be depressing. This is why I pair all my darker coloured clothes with something super bright, it helps to brighten my mood. I always get comments like, you look like summer and that is what I aim for.

Do Something Scary

I am a social creature and I am much happier meeting up with my friends and doing stuff together. This is not always possible for some people, so you can be social by going to the cinema or the pub alone. It can be a little scary at first but as the night progresses so does your mood and you will find it much fun and enjoyable.

Eat Winter Foods

There is nothing I love more than a hearty stew, I love my slow cooker and make loads of casseroles and stews during winter. My favourite dish has to be a beef stew loaded with potatoes, carrots and other vegetables, both hearty and healthy.

Hang out with Friends

As I mentioned above, I am a social creature and though I don’t have many friends, the few that I have we are very close. Lately, I have made more gym buddies and I am hanging out with them weekly because they are my kind of positive people and that’s what you need during the depressing months.

Dose up on Vitamin D

Since we naturally get Vit.D from the sun and this makes us happy and improve one’s mood, its important to dose up with some vitamin D supplements. Not only is it good for you, helps the body absorb calcium thereby making your bones much stronger.

Participate in Winter Adventures

Like most people, I am not a fan of winter nor do I like being outdoors when it’s cold and murky outside but I have found my own joy in the cold. During the winter months, I find visiting National Trust and English Heritage sites very therapeutic as well as travel abroad to cold destinations. I love exploring the new cities and areas close to me and partaking in the winter traditions each region enjoys.

What are you most looking forward to this winter? What is something different that you will do this winter to combat the winter blues?