Winter Wellness

Winter wellness needs to be top of your priority list. January and February can feel never-ending, what with short days and long dark nights, especially here in the Northern hemisphere. This is the time to take especially good care of your physical and mental health. More so now because of Covid-19 and lockdown. Getting out and about isn’t easy.

Guest blogger Kimberly Hayes has put together 5 winter wellness strategies so you can stay fighting fit this winter.

Winter Blues

A lot of people around the world struggle with the “winter blues.” Not only is it cold outside, but the days are shorter and it’s more likely you’ll be stuck inside. However, there’s a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is essentially a more severe form of the winter blues. This form of depression also afflicts a lot of people, 75 percent of whom are women, and it can significantly impact your day-to-day life. 

The culprit of seasonal affective disorder is most often a lack of sunlight. Having less exposure to sunlight during winter causes your biological clock to shift, which can hinder your body’s regulation of mood, hormones, and sleep. Lack of sunlight can also lead to a vitamin D deficiency, in turn decreasing the production of serotonin (a chemical that contributes to feelings of happiness). And if you naturally have low serotonin production due to a chemical imbalance in your brain, you may be at an even higher risk of SAD. 

The good news is that SAD is treatable. By implementing some simple strategies in your everyday routine, you can mitigate or totally prevent depression, anxiety, negative thoughts, and other symptoms of SAD. Through emmadhesi.com, I strive to inspire people to break out of their shells and live their best lives. That’s why I’ve provided some practical wellness advice on how you can avoid seasonal affective disorder this winter.

Keep it tidy

A messy home can increase stress and tension in your household, not to mention exacerbate depression symptoms. If your living environment is cluttered and/or dirty, carve out a weekend to deep clean it. And try to maintain the cleanliness by cleaning a little each day. In no time, you’re likely to see the stress, arguing, complaining, and other negative energies dissipate!

Get more light

Everyone needs sunlight during winter, especially those who suffer from or are at risk of SAD. Go for a walk each day, either in the late morning or early afternoon (when the sun is brightest). Open the drapes when you’re at home to let sunlight in. If necessary, invest in an artificial sunlight device, such as a light therapy lamp or alarm clock. 

Eat more greens

It’s often more convenient and comforting to load up on empty carbs when it’s cold and dark outside. In fact, we are biologically prone to crave carbs in winter. But a carb-heavy diet will lead to decreased energy and exacerbate any fatigue you may be experiencing from SAD. Be intentional about having leafy greens and other nutrient-rich vegetables in each meal. 

Get a move on it

Few things require more willpower than working out in winter, but exercise plays a critical role in the fight against depression. Carve out time to engage in physical activity for at least 15 minutes a day. If you bundle up and do an outdoor activity, you’ll get the added benefit of sunlight! 

Write every day

Lastly, get a journal, and write in it each day. Write about your negative thoughts and your struggles. Write about your positive thoughts and things you’re grateful for. Write about your goals for progress and strategies that will help you achieve them. Or, just write about an experience you had at the grocery store the day before. Freeing your thoughts and emotions by putting pen to paper can do wonders in your battle with SAD. And who knows — maybe someday you’ll work with Emma Dhesi on writing a book!

You don’t have to keep letting seasonal affective disorder run your life. This winter, maintain a clean home, get lots of sunlight, exercise, and write your heart out. Following these tips is sure to keep SAD and its nasty symptoms at bay, or at least minimize their impact. 

Find out more

Would you like to read more inspiring content for everyday life, or do you need coaching on your writing? Visit emmadhesi.com today! 

Kimberly works tirelessly to help others find health, happiness and wellness, particularly when battling addiction. As someone who suffered from an eating disorder, Kimberly knows what it’s like to feel lost and helpless in the face of adversity thus she created Public Health Alert to help keep the public informed about the latest developments in popular health issues and concerns.