Mental Health Tips For Surviving the Long Winter Months
The dark, short days and crazy weather can start to drag down even the most cheery and positive person. We have a lot of cloudy days here, and it alternates between freezing weather, wind, then days of rain or melting snow. Everything looks gray and dreary. As a Native Montanan, here are my tips for avoiding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Cabin Fever:
• Stay as active as possible and get outside as much as you can.
• Take up an outdoor activity such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or ice fishing.
• Get a sun lamp or have a well-lit room or sunroom to hang out in as much as possible.
• Stay connected with friends and family. Get out and be as social as possible.
• Find new indoor hobbies, such as quilting, painting, reading, sewing, etc.
• Check your Vitamin D levels.
• Travel somewhere warm. There’s nothing like a week (or a month) in the sunshine to rejuvenate your soul and give you a better perspective.
• Focus on staying as healthy as possible. Eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, exercise, journal, meditate, read your bible or positive books, and learn a new skill.
• Limit excessive exposure to the news and social media. This can be very draining and, oftentimes, depressing and can cause anxiety and/or anger.
For more information on SAD visit MayoClinic.
Take care of yourself, and if you ever need someone to talk to, please reach out!
Blessings,
Jeannette Carr-Smith
Supervising Broker
Regional Manager Clearwater Properties