5 easy tips to lift your mood this winter

(NC) With early sunsets and little sunlight even during peak daytime hours, it can be easy for anyone to feel down during the wintertime. Here are some tips to help you fight the winter blues:

Spend time outside. Daylight can help brighten your mood and ward off the winter blues as soon as you wake up, open your curtains and sit near a window. On your lunch break, bundle up and get a walk in or sit on a park bench to soak up some rays. You can also supplement natural light with a light therapy lamp at home.

Schedule exercise. When it’s cold and snowy, being a couch potato is pretty appealing. But your brain loves exercise and actually releases feel-good endorphins whenever you work out. You can find free workout videos online, join an indoor soccer league or use the buddy system at the gym to get your body moving.

Plan for some fun. Socializing and having something to look forward to are both important. Make sure you’re making time to meet up with friends, even if it’s just for a coffee date or pizza and a movie at home. You can also start planning things to look forward to, even if some of them are months away—the idea of something exciting and new will lift your spirits.

Get enough nutrients. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is key for your well-being throughout the year. During the winter, soups and stews packed with veggies and lean protein are easy, one-pot meals that make for great leftovers.

Speak to someone. If you’re feeling down, don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse before talking to a healthcare provider who can offer strategies to feel better. If you’re frustrated by a long waitlist for a mental health practitioner or would rather see someone from the comfort of your own home, virtual care platforms like Maple can offer a convenient way to connect with a mental health therapist or physician quickly and remotely.

Attention editors: This content is not applicable for distribution in Quebec or Nova Scotia.