Courtesy photo
Getting outside with friends is a great way to emotionally connect which can help take care of our mental health during the winter.
Many of us find winter a gloomy season. After all, it’s cold and dark outside, and the weather can make it harder for people to get out and about. If you’re someone who’s prone to the winter blues — or you care about someone who is — these habits help bolster well-being now and throughout the year.
Soak up the sunshine
Lack of sunlight causes a drop in serotonin, one of the body’s feel-good biochemicals. That’s one reason why many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Fortunately, northwestern Colorado offers up lots of bluebird days all winter long. Try to get outside for a few minutes whenever you can. Take a walk or do some stretching in place. Indoors, try light therapy. Sun lamps and light boxes also boost your mood.
Stay connected
Don’t let winter separate you from the people and activities that make you happy. Find ways to keep meeting in person as much as possible. Check on your neighbors and isolated friends. If illness or travel conditions keep you at home, reach out via video chat, and also look into activities you can participate in online, such as book clubs and distance learning.
Move your body
Challenge yourself to keep moving even if you can’t participate in your favorite outdoor physical activities. Movement elevates mood, promotes sleep and makes your body feel better. Join an indoor exercise group, or use an app or online class to try an activity you’ve always wanted to try. Chair yoga, pilates, dance fitness, kickboxing, basic mobility training—online programs for these and many more are available on-demand.
Get caught up with health appointments
If you haven’t yet had your seasonal flu or COVID vaccines, now’s the time. If you’re behind on dental cleanings, eye exams or colonoscopy or other recommended screenings, get those appointments on the books. And if you haven’t had your annual wellness check-up with your primary-care provider? Don’t let another day go by without getting that scheduled.
Adopt mindfulness techniques
It’s easy to scroll endlessly on your phone or click around all the offerings on your TV, but do these habits make you happy? If not, consider swapping out at least some of your media time for more mindful habits. Breathing exercises and meditation, for example, are easy to do anywhere, anytime. Journaling is another excellent way to explore your thoughts, feelings and goals. If you’d like to combine physical activity with your mindfulness, try yoga or walking in nature.
Relax with satisfaction
Which winter-friendly activities make you lose track of time and feel a sense of accomplishment? Adding more of these to your weekly calendar will enhance your quality of life. For example, if you enjoy doing puzzles and love the feeling of clicking those final pieces into place, then keep a puzzle going on a card table. Or you may like baking, organizing, reading, playing an instrument, woodworking, painting or volunteering. Whatever puts you in that state of active “flow” — fully occupying your mind and body — is time well spent.