1. Lighten up.
Your body and your brain are craving more daylight, which makes your body release the feel-good hormone serotonin. Walk outside during the day, even when it’s cold, to get some sun exposure, even for just a few minutes.
2. Eat to improve your mood.
Certain foods such as chocolate have been shown to improve moods and help relieve anxiety. Little comforts that don’t lay on the carbs, like a cup of tea or small piece of dark chocolate, can help you relax without sabotaging yourself later.
3. Get moving.
More and more research suggests that exercise is a great way to help deal with (and maybe even prevent) depression. Exercise as simple as walking for 30 (or even 10!) minutes can have a significant impact on your mood.
4. Listen to an upbeat playlist.
Research in 2013 from the University of Missouri suggested that listening to cheerful music can improve your mood, even after the song ends.
5. Help others.
Volunteering your time to help someone else can improve mental health and how satisfied you feel with your life. Help out a local organization. Clean out your closet and donate the clothes you’ve grown out of. Put in some extra effort around the house to help out your family. Do something kind for a friend. The possibilities are endless!
6. Stay social.
You may feel inclined to spend more time alone. However, spending time with friends and loved ones can have a serious impact on your mood.
7. Relax.
Being mindful, doing deep breathing exercises, and meditating can all have a significant impact on how you feel. Try taking several deep, slow breaths, filling your belly as you inhale and letting it deflate as you exhale. Concentrate on nothing but your breathing.
8. Be kind to yourself.
When you’re depressed, it can be really hard to find the motivation to actually do these things. If you skip a workout or stay in all day, don’t get mad at yourself. Instead, think about what you’d say to a good friend going through something similar.
These small changes can lighten your mood and help you get through the winter blues.
"8 Tips to Beat the Winter Blues." Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, January 2022, https://www.teenhealthcare.org/blog/8-tips-to-beat-the-winter-blues/.
