For some, this mood change is temporary and easily managed with lifestyle modifications.
There are things it’s possible for you to do to beat the winter blues.
Winter Blues vs. Its just like sadness vs. depression.
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That can affect most peoples dispositions, she says.
SAD is a more complex disorder that is not just sadness.
If the symptoms get this severe, its crucial to seek professional mental health services immediately.
Here are 10 strategies you could take a stab at beat the winter blues.
Take a Break From the News
Being indoors more often means an increase in screen time.
If possible, schedule one hour for news.
it’s possible for you to watch this in one sitting or break it up into chunks.
Keep Up Your Sleep Routine
Sleep is a huge component of mood.
So, instead of committing to one longer workout, break the time up into chunks.
Take one walk in the morning, another in the early afternoon, and one before it gets dark.
Seek Out the Sun
Getting outside needs to be a priority during the winter months.
Aim to sit in this location for at least one to two hours a day.
If one sitting is not possible, break the time into shorter chunks throughout the daytime hours.
This form of treatment is common for people diagnosed with SAD.
Light boxes usually provide 10,000 lux (lux is a light intensity measurement).
This should be done from early fall until spring.
Psychotherapy is highly recommended to treat depressive disorders and would likely benefit any individual suffering from SAD.
More specifically, the NIMH sayscognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) has proven to be very effective in treating SAD.
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