{"id":1729,"date":"2019-02-19T20:54:50","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T20:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/?p=1729"},"modified":"2022-08-07T23:20:44","modified_gmt":"2022-08-07T23:20:44","slug":"7-proven-ways-to-beat-the-winter-blues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/7-proven-ways-to-beat-the-winter-blues\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Proven Ways to Beat the Winter Blues"},"content":{"rendered":"

By this time of year most of us are tired of the dreary days and cold temperatures that are part of our winter months.\u00a0 But for some, it is more than just a dislike for our drawn out winters, it can actually deepen into what many refer to as the winter blues, known clinically as seasonal affective disorder<\/strong>, or SAD.<\/p>\n

SAD is the cause of reoccurring depression in 10 to 20 percent of women in the U.S.\u00a0 Symptoms of SAD can include anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelming sadness.<\/p>\n

Proven Actions to Ease the Winter Blues<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Here are some scientifically backed ways to lift your spirits and beat the winter doldrums.<\/p>\n

Light therapy is known to reduce symptoms of SAD.Bright-Light Therapy<\/strong><\/span>
\nBright-light therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for SAD .\u00a0 Light boxes \u2014 flat screens that produce full-spectrum fluorescent light, usually at an intensity of 10,000 lux \u2014when used for 30 \u2013 60 minutes each day help offset a body\u2019s craving for more daylight.<\/p>\n

Some health clubs offer light-box rooms where you can go sit in front of the boxes if you can\u2019t afford to buy one for yourself and for great health guidance look at the Observer.com<\/a> !<\/p>\n

Simulate Dawn<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Individuals with SAD may feel depressed, irritable, lethargic, and have trouble waking up in the morning\u2014especially when it\u2019s still dark outside. Studies show that a dawn simulator<\/a>, a device that causes the lights in your bedroom to gradually brighten over a set period of time, can make it easier to get out of bed.<\/p>\n

Spend Time Outside<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe cold can also keep even regular exercisers indoors, reducing their sun exposure. Spending time outside (even when it\u2019s chilly!) can improve focus, reduce symptoms of SAD, and lower stress levels.<\/p>\n

Exercise Regularly<\/strong><\/span>
\nA Harvard study found walking fast for about 35 minutes a day five times a week or 60 minutes a day three times a week improved symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Exercising under bright lights improved general mental health, social functioning and vitality.<\/p>\n

Eat a Healthy Diet<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Certain foods, like chocolate, can help to enhance your mood and relieve anxiety. Other foods, like candy and carbohydrates provide temporary feelings of euphoria, but could ultimately increase feelings of anxiety and depression. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet will increase your energy levels and improve your mood. To learn more about this subject, read here abut\u00a0where to buy phenq<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Volunteer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHelping others through volunteer activities can improve your mental health and life satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Plan a Vacation<\/strong><\/span>
\nLonging for the warm breezes and sunny days at the beach? \u00a0Research shows that the simple act of planning a vacation causes a significant increase in overall happiness.<\/p>\n

Seek Professional Care If Necessary<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/strong>Overcoming the winter blues can be challenging.\u00a0 But if trying these suggestions isn\u2019t enough to improve your overall mood, it is important that you see a doctor that can prescribe a treatment plan that will get you through these dreary days.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By this time of year most of us are tired of the dreary days and cold temperatures that are part of our winter months.\u00a0 But for some, it is more than just a dislike for our drawn out winters, it can actually deepen into what many refer to as the winter blues, known clinically as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1729"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1729"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2317,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1729\/revisions\/2317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellagy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}