It’s mid-January.  We are officially in the winter season.  The skies are sometimes a bit gray, it’s been pretty cold out and we are also in the middle of a pandemic.  

How are you feeling mentally?   

Even people that typically don’t suffer from depression, may be feeling a bit of the winter blues.  It happens every year, but this year is particularly hard because we are limited to where we can go, what we can do and where we can travel, if at all! 

What are some small things you can do to help you lift spirits and prevent you from feeling even more blue? 

Take a moment to assess your sleep hygiene.  It’s recommended to have a set bed time and wake up time and to try to get anywhere between 6 and 8 hours of sleep a night.  

Even though it’s cold, try to take a daily walk outside, even if it’s only for 10 minutes.   

Try eat as healthy as possible and limit your alcohol intake.  It may be tempting to overindulge especially being home all the time, but try to meal plan healthy meals and maybe consider saving alcohol for one night over the weekend, if not at all. 

One of my favorite tricks to freshen things up inside my house.  Move furniture around. If you have a room where you can switch it up a bit, do it!  The change is fun and gives you a new perspective.  It can even feel like you are in a new house!  

If your symptoms of seasonal affective disorder to not get better or worsen, consult your primary care doctor.