The Winter Blues, or its sibling, Seasonal Affective Disorder are one of the main reasons this season sucks. I hate Winter. I try to be a positive person, but, I struggle at this time of year. It’s too cold to wear shorts, too cloudy to enjoy the views and usually too wet for a good walk.
You might think of relocating to France as a solution but in reality, this region of France (Poitou-Charente) gets just as, if not colder and greyer than the UK.
So how do I deal with SAD?
1 Wake Up, Shower and Get Ready (even if you have nothing to get ready for)
It’s so easy when you feel blue to stay in bed. Why get up when it’s cold and miserable, right? WRONG. Making the positive push to get up can shift your mindset to a better place. Staying in bed is just a way to wallow in self-pity. I know, because I do it regularly and it never makes me feel better.
2 Use a Daylight Alarm Clock
Alarm clocks like the Lumie body clock are perfect at waking you up right. A sunrise alarm clock is a great way to “fake” the time of day and get your body and mind in a routine. I know how hard it is waking up in the dark, going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark, etc. Fake some sunshine in your life. I had a cheap sunrise clock from Groupon and I definitely recommend buying a decent one like the Lumie as you can tell the difference.
3 Exercise
Go for a walk. Firstly, it’s a great way to get vitamin D. Secondly, exercise is a mood booster. Exercise has so many benefits. Want to sleep better? Exercise. Want to feel better? Exercise. I know going out in this weather isn’t appealing, but just try a 5-minute walk and work it up from there.
4 Go on Holiday
I need one. I can’t afford one, but always, at the end of January, I am craving the feeling of sand between my toes. Beautiful blue waves crashing on the shore. Giant beds with all the room to sprawl. And, well, just a holiday. If you’re in the financial position, then booking a short break next month to a place like the canary islands (eternal spring) will give you something to look forward to. Plus, it's a hit of much-needed vitamin D.
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