Many people feel like the winter months last forever. However, the winter blues may indicate something more serious. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects up to 10 million people during the dark winter months, leaving them feeling depressed until the days become longer and sunnier. Speak with your medical provider if you think you may suffer from SAD - and be sure to view this Talkspace Managing Seasonal Depression webinar. You will learn how to:

• Identify seasonal depression in yourself and others
• Use practical ways to talk about it
• Treat and manage symptoms

For less severe winter blues, there’s still plenty you can do.

Tips and tricks for fighting the blues this winter

• Pay attention to your mental health: Do what works for you to keep your thoughts positive. Try gratitude journaling/exercises or practicing your faith. Research suggests just five minutes of mindfulness a day is enough to help boost brain function and improve mood.
• Stay active: Put movement into your schedule as a must-do just like meetings or appointments. Aim for 30 minutes of movement at least 3-4 times a week. If it is too snowy, slushy or frigid, have some videos lined up for cardio and weight workouts, Pilates or yoga.
• Shake it up: Try hitting the gym in the morning instead of the afternoon/evening. Start the day with a quick meditation exercise. See what pumps you up and gets you through the day, and work to identify what isn’t working in your favor. The trial and error part of the process can keep you focused and feeling better.
• Take care of yourself: View terrific tips and resources to help you discover or deepen your self-care and boost your physical and emotional well-being.
• Eat in balance: Stick to nutritious food choices that provide the vitamins and minerals your body needs for energy. View health eating ideas.
• Manage stress: Read about stress reduction tips and resources or check out the WOW video library for more stress reduction tools such as:
  • Releasing Tension - 4 minute practice
  • Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Tapping for in the moment stress reduction - 2 minute practice
    • EFT Instruction Video - 10 minutes
  • Shaking off Stress - 4 minute practice
  • Grounding the Body - 4 minute practice

Additional Resources:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments
• 17 Therapist-Approved Tips for Dealing With Seasonal Depression
• Does Vitamin D Help With Depression?
• Light Therapy for Depression
• Dealing with Emotional Triggers During the Holidays
• 5 Ways to Outsmart End of Year Anxiety