Managing Low Mood During the Winter
It is not uncommon to experience changes in your mood with the change of seasons, particularly during the winter when your exposure to natural light is significantly reduced. There are however, strategies that you can use to give your mood a lift.
First, here are a few signs that your mood may be compromised during the winter:
You may feel tired and you may be sleeping in more often and/or struggling to wake up in the morning.
You may feel unmotivated to go to school or work.
You may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy.
You may not be spending as much time with family and friends.
Tips to uplift your mood
Routine, routine, routine.
Establish a healthy routine. Wake-up at the same time every morning and go to sleep at the same time every night. Your body craves patterns.
Soak up the sun.
Increase your exposure to sunlight. Open your curtains every morning and take a walk outside during your lunch break especially if it is dark out when you leave the house in the morning. Too cold to walk outside? Find a window (any window with light will do) and practice deep breathing while listening to a couple of your favourite tunes (mindfully).
Have fun.
Increase the amount of time you spend doing things that give you the good feels. Do that regularly and incorporate it into your weekly routine. Starbucks run? Playing guitar? Ice skating?
Start moving.
Exercise. No need to have an Olympic level workout regime just 15 minutes a few times a week will do. If it’s -40C outside and balaclavas just aren’t the look you are going for, try a simple indoor exercise video (yoga, anyone?) that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Increase your social interactions.
COVID-19 really threw a wrench in our plans and as we approach the dead of winter, things are not going to get any easier. But socializing (appropriately) is important. If you can’t meet face-to-face (checking off tips 3 & 5), try a drive-by car hang or video chat. I hear you can also play murder mystery group games online these days, too. Yeah, try that.
If you are experiencing persistent low mood you should consult with your health care provider.