10 Tips To Get Out of a Winter Slump

A case of the winter blues can have you feeling dragged down, underwhelmed and even feeling a little depressed. It’s a common thing to occur during the winter months.

The sun is out less, which means it gets darker earlier and feels like the day is over sooner, and we aren’t doing as much outdoors as we were during the summer and spring months. It’s a terrible, yet common feeling felt amongst may during the Winter.

But we don’t have to let it bring us down all winter long. There is so much we can do to uplift ourselves and to bring more joy to our lives during these colder months. It’s important to remember that this won’t last forever and that you can still make the months of your time.

I’ve gathered a few tips to get you out of your winter slump and far from the winter blues.

10 Tips To Get Out of a Winter Slump

Make a solid exercise routine

I don’t just mean going to the gym. I mean making sure you are getting in some sort of physical activity for yourself each and every day. The benefits are enormous.

Daily physical activity is so imperative to great heart health, physical and mental health, and overall well being. Getting out on your lunch break to go for a quick walk, or a brisk walk after work, using a home exercise machine to get some cardio in, or going to a gym are al great ways to support this. Besides, research has shown that walking just one hour a day could be a great treatment to help you get out of a winter slump!

Eat healthy

This goes hand in hand with the previous tip. Eating healthy will give you an instant boost and is so beneficial for your health.

The many physical benefits in turn give you a mental boost. That mental boost is what you need. It will kickstart the positive chemicals in your body to put you in a better mood and not feeling so down with the Winter blues.

See the light and get outside

There are so many benefits of being out in the sun. The vitamin D alone is so good as we tend to lack good levels of vitamin D unless you are outdoors for several hours each and every day. Supplementing with vitamin D is also good as well.

But getting outdoors is the best medicine. I’ve done this when I’m sick or feeling down. And it always makes me feel better.

Another option is light therapy. Light therapy can mimic the sun to a certain extent. If it is too cold to get outside, utilize light therapy to mimic the sun rising.

See your family and friends

This doesn’t need much mentioning but a little love and support always goes a long way when you’re feeling down. For me, going to see my mom, is my shining light. She always makes me feel better. Calling a friend, going to visit family, all can be so uplifting and so good for the mind and soul.

Adapt

People who live in areas where it snows for 6 months straight have learned to adapt and make the most of their days. They have adapted to their environment by finding things to do to still fill their days with fun and keeping busy.

Take people who live in Alaska. They have no choice but to get creative with what they are able to do while stuck indoors during their winter months. Their winter is long and dark.

Sometimes it’s best to learn to adapt during this time of year and specifically plan ahead of things you can do to keep busy and to stay upbeat. Simply, adapt.

Stimulate The Senses

Believe it or not, tasting, smelling and seeing something vibrant can be SO uplifting. Paint a wall in your home a bold color, or even your nails!

Light a candle, or some incense with bold scents such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or orange. All of these scents will be sure to brighten your mood and stimulate your senses.

Write or Read

This simple task can do so much for you mentally and emotionally. Reading a book can give you so many different emotions but this also stimulates your brain in a really positive way.

Just as reading does, writing is also very beneficial for your mental health as well. Writing your thoughts down in a journal can be a great way tog et feelings off your chest or just to simply notate your thoughts.

Go to a sunnier climate

If budget allows, take a trip somewhere where the sun shines most days of the year. California and Florida are both great options! Take a trip somewhere sunny so that you can get all that vitamin D the natural way and make you feel good again after being stuck in a winter slump.

Medication

Sometimes, we need to resort to medicinal resources, such as medication to help with anxiety and/or depression. And this is perfectly ok. Don’t feel ashamed, don’t let this make you feel less than for needing the extra help.

Medicine can really help once you start taking it. Talk to your healthcare provider about what medicine might help you to make you feel better.

Therapy

Another great way to cope when you are feeling without options. Talk to a professional that can give you the best resources to seek help.

Again, don’t feel like this is a bad thing. Seeking professional advice can be so great and beneficial when you feel down or depressed, due to the winter blues. Seek the help, I promise, you won’t regret it.

Whether it’s one tip or all ten tips you choose to take, know that all of these tips will be sure to get you out of that winter slump. It’s important to remember to stay positive, upbeat, and keep the positive mindset going by keeping yourself busy. We’ve all been here before, but it doesn’t have to be this way each winter. Make the most of it and utilize these tips along the way.

Which tip will you be using to help you get out of that winter slump?

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