It’s winter, and although we can enjoy some beautiful scenery, hot drinks and maybe catch some snow, winter is often associated with depression. This may be due to the shorter days and lack of sunlight during the colder months, leading to a mood disorder called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD symptoms include irritability, low energy levels, weight gain or loss without any changes in diet, insomnia, and generally feeling down.
So what can you do to combat those winter blues? Well, read on for some tips on how you can help improve your mood this winter!
Get up early to catch some rays
Sunshine in the morning is essential for mood regulation because it helps regulate serotonin production, which impacts happiness levels throughout the day. Try to get up earlier in winter, so you take advantage of the daylight hours. The days are shorter, so enjoy some time outdoors will help make you feel better. Some gentle exercise in the morning can also help boost mood. A healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner will also contribute to a better mood overall. If you can’t get up early, consider installing skylights in your house for a little natural light.
Spend time Outdoors to Beat The Winter Blues
Spending time outside in the sun, taking a break from working indoors, your office building or at lunchtime on your break can help regulate serotonin production and mood. If you work inside all day long, try to go out even for a short time when you get home from work too!
The lack of sunlight in winter can lead to mood swings and problems sleeping. It’s important to find ways to combat this, so the easy solution is to step outside. If you work in an office, try to sit nearest to a window so that the light can have direct contact with your skin. This will help regulate your mood and energy levels through the regulation of serotonin production.
Get out into nature as often as possible with your kids or friends, even if it’s for a short time. The sun will help you get your vitamin D and feels good.
Install Skylights from The Skylight Shop Melbourne
Studies have found a correlation between exposure to natural sunlight and improved health and well being. For example, it can elevate your mood, increase your creativity, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety. If you don’t get much sunlight through your windows, consider talking to us about installing office or home skylights to get the most natural light and ventilation into the room. These are a cost-effective way of bringing natural lighting into any room, as well as much needed ventilation. The Skylight Shop’s friendly team can recommend what will suit your home or business.
Take Vitamin D Supplement
It is difficult for us to produce enough natural vitamin D during winter because there is less sunlight. Consider taking a vitamin D supplement, and make sure you get your 25 minutes of sun exposure for the day so that your body can still produce it on its own even if we are not out in the winter sun as much. These supplements come in liquid or tablets and are available at supermarkets and pharmacies. Just check with your doctor first before you start taking any supplements.
Talk to a friend or your doctor
Sometimes you need to feel a little better is to talk to a friend or family member about what you are experiencing. It is actually very common to feel this way in winter, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re worried about SAD symptoms, or if these tips aren’t helping with those winter blues, it may be worth speaking to your GP. They can provide a professional opinion on the best course of action for you and your mental well-being.
If you are interested in getting skylights installed in your home or business to help lift your mood, speak to the friendly team at The Skylight Shop for advice on which product would best suit your needs. Call us on 03 9336 2111 or click here to contact us. Get some skylight into your life!
