During the winter, you may suffer from depression and anxiety for a variety of reasons. You might have seasonal affective disorder that is caused by the reduction in natural sunlight and the shorter days. In addition, it is possible to have mental health issues throughout the holidays, as the festivities cause stress and sadness. Obligations to family, the business of holiday vacations, or the loss of a friend or family member can cause wintertime to be especially hard. Whether that sadness comes from the season’s effect on your body or the stresses that that can come with it, your experiences are real. You cannot just “get over it.” You need a real plan and real treatment. Fortunately, there are several ways to cope better with depression and anxiety.
1. Increase Your Daily Exercise to Avoid Depression
When you are exercising, your body’s glands release hormones that will help you to feel happier and less anxious. Look for a local gym that you can join to use exercise equipment that includes treadmills and elliptical machines. Alternatively, on a warmer day, you can walk, jog, or ride a bicycle. You can find clothing that will help you stay warm outside as you exercise. Additionally, your body will warm up as you settle into the routine, so be sure to buy clothes that give your skin space to breathe. At home, you can lift small barbells or perform a yoga routine to reduce your anxiety and depression. Don’t forget to get enough sleep to improve your mental wellness. You need approximately eight hours of high-quality sleep at night to keep your mind in its best condition.
2. Exposure to Additional Light for Avoid Depression
To overcome depression and anxiety, you should expose your body to additional light. Sunlight is especially valuable for helping you to feel better. You should open the drapes or the window blinds so that the bright sunlight shines into your home. If you can go outside for at least 20 minutes each day, then it will help to increase the amount of vitamin D in your body, helping you to feel better. While the amount of vitamin D you will get is lowered on cloudy days, you will still receive some. You can also buy special lamps that use bulbs that emit certain spectrums of light that will simulate the sun’s light, and with exposure to this type of lighting, you can avoid episodes of depression and anxiety.
3. Schedule an Appointment with a Psychotherapist
Look for a knowledgeable psychotherapist to help you cope with anxiety and depression. With professional counseling, you can determine what is causing your mental health issues to learn new thinking patterns. Talk therapy is an excellent way to release your troubling feelings, and you can also enjoy the benefits of hypnotherapy to get to the root of your emotional difficulties. Don’t be afraid to transfer therapists if you feel like you are not getting what you need. Your therapist works for you and you can think of that relationship as a professional one as well as a personal one.
4. Changes in Your Dietary Plans
What you eat and drink can affect your mind, leading to a higher incidence of having depression or anxiety. By changing your diet, within a few weeks, you will notice an improvement in your emotions. Some of the foods and beverages that can cause changes in your brain include sugary desserts and caffeinated soft drinks. It is better to consume natural whole foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also drink nutritious smoothies or juices rather than drinking alcoholic beverages. If you find you are having trouble getting enough vitamin D, fish, fortified milk, and eggs yolks can help you recuperate the amount you need.
These methods cannot always prevent winter, S.A.D., or simply your mental illness from taking their toll. However, they can help you understand what you are feeling, give you the momentum to push through hard days, and help correct the imbalance in your brain. Remember that you are not alone. You can find group therapy, other friends with anxiety and depression to eat and exercise with, or art and music that will comfort and soothe you. Better times will come and you have the strength to see your way to them.
