Shorter days, grey weather, and a desire to just stay indoors curled up by the fireplace with a good book means winter is here. While we all sometimes have days we just want to stay home, seasonal depression is a real thing for many.
About 10 million Americans have what is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression partially thanks to winter's lack of sunlight and shorter days. This can disrupt our body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm. What can help beat these seasonal blues?
Three Easy Ways To Increase Happiness
Get Outdoors - While it may seem like the last thing you really want to do right now, making sure you spend time outside each day—even though you’ve got to bundle up—offers benefits for both mind and body. Choosing to spend time in nature, year-round, can increase mood and gives the body much needed natural light.
Curl Up With Cocoa - We know chocolate can elevate mood and there’s a lot of healthy hot cocoa mixes and recipes that offer great antioxidants. Enjoy sipping a warm cup of cocoay goodness to put a smile on your face.
Have A Houseplant - Gardening is often linked to health and well-being. While it may not be the season for outdoor plants, you can still gain benefits from caring for indoor varieties. It’s a simple task, but watering a peace lily or tending to a succulent might lift your mood a bit.
Seasons Change, So Do Moods
The days may be short, and yet somehow seem to drag on during these cold months, but try to keep in mind that soon spring will arrive! The sun will shine again, flowers will start to blossom, and smiles will come more easily.
Know you’re not alone. You can beat the seasonal blues—in some delicious and bright ways!