If the rainy weather and darker days are causing you to feel down, you are not alone. It is not uncommon this time of year to feel fatigued, distracted, and sad.
These feelings are temporary for many, but here are three lifestyle changes that can help lift you when you are feeling down.
- Dial It Down. COVID, politics, and violence are all over the news, and while it is essential to stay informed, so much of what we see and hear can add to winter stress and sadness. Try limiting the time spent listening to the news to an hour or less. (And hey, there’s always something lighthearted on Netflix).
- Boost It Up. Right now, you may not be concerned about your six-pack abs, but no time like winter to adjust your diet. For a natural mood boost, try adding complex carbs like whole grains and veggies and vitamin C rich foods such as spinach and oranges. Omega 3’s are a mood-boosting must too. Foods like salmon, nuts, and leafy greens are not only good for your body but can do wonders for your mind.
- Double Team. We all know exercise is good, but the winter blues can leave us feeling lethargic and unmotivated. Don’t go it alone. Even in a COVID quarantine, you can buddy up and get moving. Schedule a phone walk and talk at lunch hour or sign up for a virtual yoga class with your partner or friend. Exercise and companionship is a double whammy when it comes to beating the blah’s.
You can’t change the weather, but you can make choices that will help you have more energy, focus, and fun this winter.