Exercise has long been essential to fighting off depression. Many studies prove that even a brief workout will kick your endorphins into high gear, which leaves you with a positive, energized feeling. "Getting off your butt and out of the house is extremely important," says Josephson. So even if the weather is preventing you from jogging outside, skip the yoga in your living room and instead pop over to your gym for a class or quick turn on the treadmill. The change of scenery will do you a world of good.
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Solution: Lay off the carbs
Although the holidays are packed with heavy foods and tons of sweets, gobbling carbohydrates will only add to your already fatigued feeling, says Josephson. Steer clear from overeating breads, pastas, and cookies and instead opt for energy-boosting snacks with protein such as raw nuts.
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Solution: See your doctor
If your winter blues aren't improving, it's important to see your doctor. There are several antidepressant medications that can be helpful for boosting serotonin levels and improving your mood so you can keep your S.A.D. under control.
Does winter have you feeling blue? It's true we're all a little irritable post Labor Day. After all we're mourning the loss of beach trips, BBQs, and comfy flip-flops. But the end of summer can be more than a bummer; it can even cause you to develop a mood disorder. If you're feeling more down than usual you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.).
Fortunately, there are plenty of easy solutions for busting out of your cold weather funk. Keep reading as we break down the cause, the symptoms, and solutions for those winter blues.
