How to Fight the Winter Blues

While it is hard to believe we are in December and almost to 2023, it also means we are at the time of year where we have more hours of darkness each day and less periods of natural sunlight. This can affect some negatively and cause the “winter blues.”

Feelings of sadness during wintertime or a more serious form of depression called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) can occur in some individuals year after year, which is why the NIH has funded research into the condition for over thirty years. Dr. Matthew Rudorfer, a mental health expert at NIH, explains the winter blues are fairly common and not a medical diagnosis. Fortunately the condition is usually mild and clears up in a short amount of time. Researchers found the winter blues are often linked to holiday reminders of loved ones no longer with us and/or the stress that goes along with the season.

On the other hand, SAD is a clinical diagnosis directly related to the decrease in daylight hours.  Rudorfer says, SAD “interferes with daily functioning typically during late autumn and winter and goes away during the spring and summer. A common form of treatment is light therapy, which includes sitting under a light box for thirty minutes each morning. Studies find as many as 70 percent of people report some improvement as quickly as a few weeks.   

Tips to treat the winter blues include getting outside on sunny days; earlier morning is best, or getting into brightly-lit spaces. Exercise is good for our spirits so take a walk or hike in the woods. Be social and confide your feelings to a trusted confidante. Doctors also suggest avoiding overloading on sugary food and eating a healthy diet of lean meats and fruits. 

MorningStar at Observatory Park will open to residents in spring 2023 and offers assisted living and memory care. Located in the historic DU neighborhood in South Denver, we are situated among mature trees, lovely gardens and local eateries. The Porter Adventist Hospital and the Swedish Medical Center are close by. Visit our website to reserve your select suite today, and ask about exclusive savings for early depositors. 

Source:newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/01/beat-winter-blues