The cold weather months often bring feelings of sadness that aren’t easily explained especially as we age. There is a medical term for this affliction called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. It is common during the gloomy fall and winter months and is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness. Women experience this more often than men.
We lose hours of daylight during the winter and it can make us feel less energetic and more sluggish. There are simple practices that, when built into your day-to-day life, can help boost your mood and fight those SAD feelings.
Below are some tips you can begin working into your routine now and continue through winter to stave off that sad feeling.
Make an effort to leave your house
Don’t confine yourself to your home for half of the year just because the weather is cold. It’s important to spend a few hours each day basking in the sunlight even if it’s limited. Exposure to natural light levels up your serotonin and naturally, makes you happier. Get out to go to the store, meet friends for coffee, or go out for lunch with loved ones, so you can socialize.
Doing something, even if it’s small, keeps your body and mind active so you won’t become a vegetable sitting in front of your television.
Sleep restfully
We all know that quality sleep is important to our well-being. It helps our bodies and minds to recharge and allows us to live healthy and happy lives. Take steps to ensure a restful night’s sleep without tossing and turning and waking up throughout the night.
Try updating your sleeping environment so you can wake up easier and be happier throughout your day.
If you experience back pain, which is common in people over 50, you may want to consider upgrading your mattress to one that adequately supports your back. Turn off your television or avoid having one in your bedroom altogether. The flashing lights from various electronics such as alarm clocks or computers can also disrupt your sleep cycle. Opt for a night light instead. If noise is keeping you up at night you may want to try using a sound machine.
Practice Self-Care
Having a self-care ritual will help you fend off feelings of feeling sad. The Scandinavian concept of Hygge will give you more comfort and contentment during cold weather months.
Adopting a winter skin care regimen is one way to boost how you feel because cold weather often causes skin irritation.
Another way to fend off sadness is to create a sacred space in your home to bring a sense of calm to your life. Find what works best for you and gives you a feeling of serenity.
Surround yourself with greenery
Plants add life to your living space. If you don’t have a green thumb, look for easy-to-care-for plants like succulents, ivy, and spider plants.
House plants reduce stress in your living space and will boost your mood. They also increase the levels of oxygen in your home and remove toxins from the air to improve its quality. If it’s gloomy outside, plants give you something green and relaxing to look at.
Walking in nature even if there are no leaves on the trees is also soothing. Dress in warm, cozy clothing and take a quick walk around your neighborhood.
Don’t let aging get you down
We all get old and lose friends and family members along the way. It’s part of life but how we react to it makes all the difference. Give yourself permission to grieve but realize that your life must go on. Pursue activities that you enjoy that will help take your mind off the pain. Find ways to socialize with others with common interests. You don’t have to be alone.
Check-In
It’s important to have someone to talk to, especially when you start feeling sad whether it’s a family member, friend, or even your doctor. They can help you brainstorm ways to help you feel better as they care about you and your happiness. Hopefully, you would do the same for them. A phone call or visit from a loved one can make all the difference.
Do what makes you happy and don’t feel SAD
In the end, only you know what is best for you and what will truly make you happy. Don’t let the change in seasons or a decreasing amount of daylight negatively affect you. Being aware of both your environment and yourself will help you to combat SAD and bring you true happiness no matter the weather.
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