January can be a hard time for people for a number of reasons. The frigid cold, lack of sunlight, and post holiday sadness are just a few reasons why it can be one of the dreariest times of year. One way to help beat it is to take action early and make sure you don't fall into the winter slump!
Sunlight (real or fake)
While symptoms of winter depression can come from emotional factors, as I mentioned there are real physical factors that also affect mood, so sometimes getting warmth and sunlight is really one of the only answers. I always try to take a trip somewhere warm during this time of year to help recharge my body and remind myself that sunny days are not so far away. Airlines have a lot of sales after the holidays but before february/spring breaks so keep a lookout for deals especially from the below airlines to anywhere warm!
Southwest
Jetblue
Norwegian
If taking a trip is not in the cards for you, I suggest doing a session in a sauna or going to a day spa. With wellness increasingly being such an important part of people's lifestyles there are so many different saunas, day spas, baths, and even salt caves as options that can create the same relaxing environment as being on a beach!
Higher Dose Saunas
Salt Cave at Premier 57
Heated baths at Soju Day Spa
Eating Healthy & Exercising-
I think we all get the feeling when it is cold that all you want to do is stay in bed and eat junk food but doctors say that is the worst thing you can do! Why? Sugary/fatty diets impact your mood more drastically than you think so bingeing on sweets will only have a short window of satisfaction but leave you with more negative long term effects.
Along with that, getting to the gym can be especially hard when you have to bundle up just to get there but the endorphins that come from exercising can help offset the decreased melatonin that happens in wintertime from lack of sunlight. Not to mention I have never regretted working out after the fact, only before..so just make yourself get there! To make it more motivating and fun try a workout class with some friends...below are some of my favorites!
305 Fitness
Y7 Hot Yoga
Rumble Boxing
Retail Therapy
That is a real thing.........
for me at least....
SO if shopping makes you happy then BUY the bag you've been eyeing or the pair of shoes you have been wanting. Although this is more of a short term fix, if it can elevate your mood and if you start trying other ways to boost your mood it can have more of a gratifying effect, Now keep in mind to stay within your budget because you do not want to overspend and then that result in being stressed about finances because that would have the opposite effect on your mood. Luckily for you shoppers out there, this time of year stores tend to have a lot of winter sales so you can still ball within your budget :) I'm especially excited because Zara is having their huge winter sale both where you can grab some cute boots and winter clothes for practically nothing!
Socializing with friends
Isolating yourself is a common habit of winter blues...BUT this only makes it worse! Yes, it is hard to initially socialize when you are not in the best spirits but I find it similar to the gym that if I force myself out from under my covers and to go grab a drink or a meal with friends that my mood is immediately elevated, so next time you're feeling down in the dumps...call up a friend!
In all seriousness. seasonal depression is a real thing so if some of these methods don't do the trick and you can't seem to get out of the slump it can't hurt to go talk to someone about it. They will have more professional and medical advice that I can't give :)
Sunlight (real or fake)
While symptoms of winter depression can come from emotional factors, as I mentioned there are real physical factors that also affect mood, so sometimes getting warmth and sunlight is really one of the only answers. I always try to take a trip somewhere warm during this time of year to help recharge my body and remind myself that sunny days are not so far away. Airlines have a lot of sales after the holidays but before february/spring breaks so keep a lookout for deals especially from the below airlines to anywhere warm!
Southwest
Jetblue
Norwegian
If taking a trip is not in the cards for you, I suggest doing a session in a sauna or going to a day spa. With wellness increasingly being such an important part of people's lifestyles there are so many different saunas, day spas, baths, and even salt caves as options that can create the same relaxing environment as being on a beach!
Higher Dose Saunas
Salt Cave at Premier 57
Heated baths at Soju Day Spa
Eating Healthy & Exercising-
I think we all get the feeling when it is cold that all you want to do is stay in bed and eat junk food but doctors say that is the worst thing you can do! Why? Sugary/fatty diets impact your mood more drastically than you think so bingeing on sweets will only have a short window of satisfaction but leave you with more negative long term effects.
Along with that, getting to the gym can be especially hard when you have to bundle up just to get there but the endorphins that come from exercising can help offset the decreased melatonin that happens in wintertime from lack of sunlight. Not to mention I have never regretted working out after the fact, only before..so just make yourself get there! To make it more motivating and fun try a workout class with some friends...below are some of my favorites!
305 Fitness
Y7 Hot Yoga
Rumble Boxing
Retail Therapy
That is a real thing.........
for me at least....
SO if shopping makes you happy then BUY the bag you've been eyeing or the pair of shoes you have been wanting. Although this is more of a short term fix, if it can elevate your mood and if you start trying other ways to boost your mood it can have more of a gratifying effect, Now keep in mind to stay within your budget because you do not want to overspend and then that result in being stressed about finances because that would have the opposite effect on your mood. Luckily for you shoppers out there, this time of year stores tend to have a lot of winter sales so you can still ball within your budget :) I'm especially excited because Zara is having their huge winter sale both where you can grab some cute boots and winter clothes for practically nothing!
Socializing with friends
Isolating yourself is a common habit of winter blues...BUT this only makes it worse! Yes, it is hard to initially socialize when you are not in the best spirits but I find it similar to the gym that if I force myself out from under my covers and to go grab a drink or a meal with friends that my mood is immediately elevated, so next time you're feeling down in the dumps...call up a friend!
In all seriousness. seasonal depression is a real thing so if some of these methods don't do the trick and you can't seem to get out of the slump it can't hurt to go talk to someone about it. They will have more professional and medical advice that I can't give :)
Comments
Post a Comment