Seasonal Change Depression

With the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder, it may seem we “get the blues” much easier than in the warmer months. The reasons may vary from person to person, but there are commonalities that tie us together. We typically spend more time inside, and maybe even get a bit lethargic. Instead of letting the changing of the seasons roll over us, we can make the choice to roll WITH the changing seasons.

With the colors of the landscape changing from greens and blues to reds, oranges and yellows, it could be that we need a change of pace within our own lives to combat the winter blues. Here are a few ideas:

• Try sprucing up common living areas with a fresh coat of warm tone paint, whimsical artwork, or brighter light bulbs — anything to make your home feel a little more cozy!
• Update your flower beds with some fall color! Montauk daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are all great flowering plants. It’s a great way to brighten up the landscape of your home, even up to the more frosty months of the year. If annuals aren’t to your liking, the chokeberry bush has white flowers in the spring and lights up a beautiful red in the fall. Burning bush is another option that provides year-round beauty, turning a gorgeous, brilliant crimson in the autumn.
• Eat well! Eating a well-balanced diet will keep your energy levels up, and if you have plenty of energy to get through your day your mood will naturally follow suit! The autumn harvest provides us with great fruits and vegetables. Take advantage of nature’s bounty!
• Get some good old-fashioned sunlight! Draw back the shades for the daylight hours; even though it might be gray outside, natural sunlight filtering through your windows will provide you with Vitamin D, which is thought to be related to seasonal mood changes.
• Exercise! Regular exercise raises serotonin levels and being healthy makes us feel good. Bring some company, it’s a great motivator to have a friend to exercise with! Go for walks to enjoy the foliage, or ride a bike. Keep that blood flowing!

These are just some of the things we can do to make us feel better and not fall into an impossible rut during the winter!

What are some of YOUR favorite activities to beat the blues? Let us know in the comments section below!