How To Beat The Winter Blues
For many retirees, the winter can be a difficult time. Lack of sunlight, dreary weather, and excessive time spent inside can lead to a lack of motivation, trouble sleeping, and a generalized sense of malaise. In more extreme cases, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it can interfere with daily life and affect your ability to enjoy things you typically enjoy.
While more extreme cases might require therapy, there are a few simple ways to modify your lifestyle to ward off the winter blues.
A lack of Vitamin D can affect your mood. It’s crucial to get outside at least a few minutes everyday. Even when it’s overcast, enough natural light is still getting through to boost your Vitamin D intake. At home, open the blinds or curtains during daylight hours.
Exercise isn’t just crucial to your physical wellbeing but your mental wellbeing too. It boosts endorphins, and provides a sense of accomplishment. A leisurely walk, riding a stationary bike, lifting light weights, swimming, etc. — what’s most important is that you find something that you enjoy to get you moving a few minutes everyday.
We often associate the winter months with comfort foods like hearty savoury pies, roasts, and desserts, many of which are laden with salt, sugar, and fats. Indulging in these and other treats occasionally is key to maintain your mood, however, it’s just as important to ensure they’re balanced with vitamin- and mineral-rich foods like vegetables and leaner proteins.
Supplements may also be a good idea if you have any deficiencies, but discuss it with a registered dietician first.
Having a routine lends structure to your day. Eating poorly, isolation, and lack of activity can all exacerbate the winter blues. It’s easy to slump into these habits without setting a schedule for socializing, exercising, and regular meals.
Setting a schedule also gives you things to look forward to such as a visit from one of your grandchildren or dinner with a friend. This sense of anticipation can be a balm in the cooler months.
When you are spending time on your own, try to be aware of how it’s affecting your mood. Excessive screen time and obsessively watching the day’s news can make you feel lethargic, unfocused, or sad.
Instead, try breaking up these activities with a hobby such as reading, writing, or crafting. Meditation can also be a useful tool to re-orient your focus, and there are plenty of easy-to-use apps and virtual aides if you’ve never done it before.
Thinking of making the move to retirement living? Book a tour today to see if the amenity-rich community at Sorrento is right for you.