MARCH 2025
ALUMNI BLOG
Winter Blues: Why It Happens and What to Do About It?
HOLIDAYS COMING SOON:
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3/17/25 St. Patrick's Day
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4/18/25 Good Friday
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4/20/25 Easter Sunday
What is Winter Blues?
The winter blues are a mindset shift for many people, especially in northern latitudes during cooler months.They also feel like a temporary dip in mood or energy level that tends to coincide with the time change and colder months of the year. Many people dread the sluggish feeling, as it can dampen their mental health for days or weeks.
There are scientific reasons that we start to feel differently when exposed to reduced sunlight in the winter. It can throw off our bodies, internal clock, and circadian rhythm and even decrease serotonin, a hormone thought to regulate mood in the brain. You can think of serotonin as the "happiness hormone." So naturally, when levels drop, you can feel more irritable or blue.
However, suppose you find that the mood and energy changes are more than just an inconvenient nuisance to your day. In that case, you may need to take a deeper look at these symptoms to see if you qualify for something called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
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6 TIPS TO HELP WITH THE WINTER BLUES
If you don't think you are affected by seasonal depression and just want to take better care of yourself in the winter to prevent the winter blues, here are top tips.
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VITAMIN D
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to anxiety and depression, as well as other health concerns like bone loss.
Supplementing with vitamin D can be a major mood booster in winter.
Foods like egg yolks, fatty fish like salmon or tuna, and mushrooms are all sources of vitamin D to help you reach your daily needs.
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EXERCISE
Exercising is a natural mood booster for the brain, and it can release the feel-good endorphins needed to combat depression symptoms.
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SLEEP
Keeping your sleep schedule consistent as possible from the week to the weekend, also choosing the same bedtime and wake times are very helpful.
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BALANCED NUTRITION
What you eat impacts how you feel, especially regarding your blood sugar. Blood sugar swings or low blood sugar episodes can both cause changes to your mood and serious drops in energy levels.
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LIGHT THERAPY
For those of us with limited sunlight, during winter, light therapy can be one way to boost your mood without having to do much. Light therapy mimics natural sunlight, and you can turn it on while you work at a desk. Sitting in front of a light therapy lamp for 20 minutes can help boost serotonin levels and help regulate circadian rhythm, which can impact sleep.
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MEDICATION
If you suspect that your mood changes are more than simple the winter blues, seek professional help and consider medication as one solution for improving your mental health.
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THE BOTTOM LINE
If you dread the colder months because you know that your mental health suffers, there are real habits you can implement to make a change and feel better. Take proactive steps for your mood and mental health. And remember, if your symptoms go beyond feeling down or begin to interfere with your daily life, reach out for professional support and counseling.