LIFE

For many, winter is a cheery time. People everywhere eagerly await the season and everything that comes along with it—catching snowflakes, sipping hot cocoa, counting down the seconds on New Year's Eve. Despite the holiday festivities, winter can sometimes be an unhappy season. The decreasing amounts of sunlight, bare trees and chilly air can easily create feelings of sadness. All of a sudden, you may start to seem tired or down. If you're currently experiencing the "winter blues," there are steps that you can take to lift your spirits.

1. Spend time outdoors. Although daylight hours decline in the winter, there are still plenty of opportunities to soak in some natural sunlight. Exposure to the sun's rays will increase the amount of Vitamin D in your system, as well as your energy levels.

2. Exercise. Take your dog for a walk; go hiking on the weekends; grab a soccer ball and brush up on your juggling skills. It doesn't matter what form of exercise you choose, just get moving! Your body releases chemicals called endorphins when you exercise. Through a series of reactions, endorphins trigger feelings of happiness, which can boost your overall mood.      

3. Get together with friends and family. When you're feeling low, oftentimes you just want to be alone. However, dedicating time to shared activities with loved ones is crucial. Studies have shown that friendships can play a major role in enhancing your sense of community and mood, as well as your ability to keep calm.   

4. Take some moments for yourself. Although it's not healthy to completely isolate yourself from others, sometimes you just need alone time. Be sure to spend some quiet moments with yourself. Whether it's reading, listening to music or going for a run, it's important to give yourself some space to chill. 

5. Talk to an adult. In many instances, self-care may resolve the feeling of "winter blues." However, in other cases, a person may need to seek out additional help. If you experience prolonged periods of low energy, sadness or find yourself drifting away from activities or people you care about, speak to an adult you trust. You may have Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that impacts about 5 percent of the United States population. Although treatment options are typically straightforward (mostly involving therapy or prescription medications), don't dismiss your feelings.

How have you dealt with the "winter blues?" Let us know in the comments section below. 

by Lauren Padilla | 12/3/2016