Old Man Winter is on the way, and with his arrival, you might start to feel a bit off. You may find it harder to crawl out of bed in the morning, and the siren song of empty calories and carbs grows louder. How can you help your body adjust to seasonal changes? The following 10 tips can help you to adapt.
1. Keep Expectations Realistic
If you have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you might not feel like training for a marathon or tackling the Great American Novel during the winter. Please don’t beat yourself up if making it through the day is sometimes the best you can do.
Instead, keep your expectations realistic. Don’t push yourself to go on a 5-mile run when the wind howls. Take a walk around the block for sunshine and do a mile on the treadmill. Say yes to some holiday invitations, but don’t feel stressed to RSVP positively to everyone.
2. Light Up Your Life
Many researchers believe SAD occurs due to decreased light exposure. Fortunately, you don’t need a psychiatrist or a prescription to correct the problem.
You can find various lights that mimic the sun’s rays available at most retailers. Some cost less than $30 — invest in one for both home and office.
3. Move That Body Now
New Year’s resolutions or not, you might not want to start a new fitness program in January. Instead, get yourself into the workout groove now.
Exercising releases endorphins, feel-good chemicals your body produces to ease pain and boost mood. While you probably won’t become addicted, you will miss your workout if you develop the habit before the first snowfall. Once you know how terrific it makes you feel, you’ll be less likely to skip the gym.
4. Step Up Your Prep Game
A healthy diet likewise improves your mood and helps you to avoid winter weight gain. Make like a squirrel and gobble up all the magnesium-rich nuts you can find — this mineral helps boost mood. Add a handful to salads or wraps for crunch and nutrition.
Also, take a tip from the Catholics and indulge in fish-fry Fridays. According to Chinese researchers, Europeans who increased fish consumption lowered their risk of depression by 17%.
5. Find A Social Outlet
Don’t wait for the holidays to reach out to your friends and family. Start building that social circle now.
Socializing is the last thing you might want to do when the winter blues strike. However, interacting positively with others increases your feelings of connectedness and helps you ease depression.
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