Winter months are full of holiday cheer and joy. Festivity is in the air. Then why do you feel low and become so easily irritated?

The feeling of sadness, fatigue, and flatness is familiar to many. Some people find their own methods to struggle with seasonal weakness. They focus on their hobbies, take antidepressants or immerse themselves in the addictive world of entertainment. While others go deep into depression, which is detrimental to their wellbeing.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to maintain mental health in winter and we would like to share them with you. Read on and find the best option to fight seasonal disorders.   

Get your portion of the light

In winter, the sun becomes a poor source of vitamin D that our body needs to manage mood swings. Biological, mental, and chemical elements of our body have been shaped under the sun rays for years. Therefore, our biological clock is very sensitive to the changes in sunlight volume that we consume. The lack of it affects hormones that help us control our emotions and maintain mental health.

For these reasons, the lack of daylight is a key cause of winter depression. And, therefore, it makes sense to increase the amount of light we get during the day. Since winter days are short and not always sunny, any alternative to natural light helps to compensate for it. Many people now use lightboxes that simulate natural outdoor light without ultraviolet waves. Light therapy lifts your mood due to the increase of serotonin levels in your body and stimulation of your body clock.  

Physical and outdoor activities

We know that it’s rather hard to pull yourself out of the warm bed on cloudy and cold days. Fatigue forces you to quit your usual daily activities and sleep more instead of keeping a regular schedule. This way, it is easier to weather the tough days.

Spending time outdoors and engaging yourself in physical activity are proven ways to avoid depression and feel better. It can be anything from a walk in the park to a countryside run. Decide which form of exercise works best for you — fitness, gym, dancing, or any other kind of workout.

The research shows that exercises improve our mental health and protect us from future depressions. If you exercise for at least half an hour daily, your body releases happy hormones — endorphins. Along with serotonin, these hormones are responsible for our good mood. Thus, physical activity is as effective in preventing depression as antidepressants.          

Master relaxation techniques

Meditation is one of the relaxation practices that is getting more and more popular worldwide. It aims to help you get rid of irritation, anxiety, and flatness. The meditation session can be as short as 15 minutes a day. If it is difficult to find peace of mind, you can use a guide to meditation. There are numerous podcasts and mobile apps like Headspace that will help you relax completely. During meditation, the levels of serotonin increase. This brings a feeling of pleasure and peacefulness.

Yoga is also a healthful activity. It comes with similar meditative components and eases your mind of concerns. As a result, yoga can improve your mental state, too. 

Read books and be creative

If the weather is too bad to go outside, reading is a perfect way to cheer yourself up and feel better. It enables you to boost your creative thinking and generate new ideas. Fine or science fiction literature and fantasy novels will take you far away from dark winter days. Consider the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling if you want to add some magic to your routine.  

Creative activities like painting, photography, wall art have a therapeutic effect and switch you off from daily pressure.

Go on a trip

It is reasonable to take a vacation in winter and travel to an exotic country with a warm climate. There are so many destinations where the sun is shining all year round — Barbados, Curaçao, Thailand, you name it. The seaside holiday will definitely help you combat winter sadness. 

If you don’t have enough funds or free time to go on an exotic journey to Bermuda, then consider planning a mini-trip closer to your home. This will save you money but still give a boost. Finally, everyone can spare some time to go to a concert of their favorite music band or go ice-skating with friends. All options will bring you a whole lot of positive emotions. 

On a final note

The charm of winter fades away when it comes to dark mornings, cold days, and a lack of sunlight. It takes more effort for our body to produce necessary hormones in the winter season and maintain our mental health.

Often, the hardest thing is to start doing something to resolve this issue. The longer you tell yourself that nothing works, the more convincing it sounds to you. To avoid winter depression and overcome flatness, read this article twice over and find your perfect way to lift your mood.