When the temperature begins to dip, and the daylight hours become scarcer, it’s easy to feel a little down in the dumps. In some cases, this can even escalate into Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Fortunately, there are natural ways to combat these feelings. They tend to involve getting out into nature, and moving around more. Best of all, doing this will confer long-term health benefits that go way beyond dealing with winter-related depression. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Boosting mood with outdoor exercise
Exercise is a great stress-buster. It will also lower your risk of developing health problems that can in turn cause depression during winter. You might have heard of the so-called ‘runner’s high’, which is a result of various euphoriants (including endorphins and endocannabinoids) being produced.
The ideal form of exercise is the one you stick to – which is usually the one you enjoy doing. If you can make a social activity out of your chosen form of exercise, then so much the better!
Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder
There’s a good reason that Seasonal Affective Disorder is more prevalent during winter: it’s related to a lack of sunlight. By making the most of the daylight hours we do receive, we can combat the symptoms to an extent. A balanced diet and an active social life are also crucial. Make sure that you’re able to take pleasure from seasonal cuisine, like pies, wine and pudding. But make sure that you bear in mind the need for moderation.
Engaging in winter sports
Of course, there are ways to enjoy the outdoors, and get exercise at the same time – while having fun in the process. Cheap skiing holidays are readily available, and they provide a great way to get the best of the season. You’ll take home a sense of awe and wonder that will give you a marked lift, even for months afterwards.
Getting the best out of this experience is often a matter of choosing the right resort, and doing the right preparation. Pick out a resort that’s suited to your level of experience, and pick clothes that will keep you snug and protected. It’s also worth looking into specialised travel insurance, depending on where you’re going.
Reconnect with nature
If you’re surrounded by concrete and metal all day, then it’s only natural that you might begin to feel dejected. Make the time to reconnect with nature. This might mean walking through a local park, or booking a few days to go for a long walk along the coast. Whatever your choice of activity, doing it while surrounded by verdure can help you to recover – even during winter, when the natural world itself might be slightly drabber and less noticeably green.
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