TIS THE SEASON for the "winter blues" or what I refer to as "The SAD". The clinical term of course "Seasonal Affective Disorder".
The clocks have changed and though it may now be easier to get up in the morning it's harder to want to stay out and do things past 4:30 because it gets dark! Winter specifically for New Englanders is always a little tougher with not only the dark, but the temperatures too.
Sunday the time change happened and I took it as more of a ... "Don't Come At Me Bro" kinda challenge. So what do I do in order to avoid slipping into a seasonal funk?
#1 Well first off I made sure not only were my regular antidepressants stocked, but I restocked some Vitamin D and ordered a new Fitbit (gotta stay accountable with steps).
#2 Make exercise a priority! One thing helpful about the time change is the light in the morning. It makes it way easier to get up and to a 7AM workout before work. The endorphins help me cruise through the morning without coffee! And I'm less likely to get tired and talk myself out of it at the end of the day.
#3 SCHEDULE! I know the holidays can get tough on time, but I always seem to thrive in November and December in keeping to a workout schedule. Schedule weekly workouts - at least 3 into your calendar.
#4 Make plans to look forward to. The holidays will whiz by, but it's that January through March stretch that gets tough. Plan yourself either a week vacation or a girls weekend getaway!
#5 Don't let the cold be an excuse. Make sure you have plenty of cold weather layers available to you and get outside. Get as much sun as you can!! Winter hiking / trail walking is glorious this time of year!
#6 The "Winter Bucket List"... I make a bucket list for every season to make sure I cram some fun things into my life. The winter list is the most important!!!
#7 Do what you need to in order to protect your mental health. If the above isn't helpful enough... talk to a therapist or take medication if you need. For years I just tried to keep busy and take Vitamin D, but somewhere in my thirties I realized another boost was needed. Hence the antidepressant. You gotta do what works for you. These things are just some that have worked for me over the years.
#8 ATTITUDE ... look this winter in the face and say "Don't Come At Me Bro"!!!
GET OUTSIDE! INVEST IN LAYERS!