It’s that time when we are beginning to feel the winter rut, and or cabin fever setting into our minds like a negative thought.
However, with some practice and tenacity, you can beat the mind funk in less than a week.
Here’s how:
Try yoga
Studies have shown that the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels spike after just a single hour of yoga. Higher GABA levels are associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Even a 10-20 minute yoga workout can start changing your brain chemistry and improving your mood.
I am a super fan of Boho beautiful! Juliana takes you around the world with incredible short yoga workouts that can be performed anywhere.
Meditation
A daily practice of meditation relieves stress, better sleep, mood booster, sharper memory, flowing creativity, sharper mind, less anxiety, and promotes feelings of positivity. The list is endless, but these are just a few examples. Also, author and professor at Harvard, Shawn Achor suggests even two minutes per day over 21 days of meditation can make a difference. “In just a two-minute span of time done for 21 days in a row, you can actually rewire your brain, allowing the brain to actually work more optimistically and more successfully.”
Hang out with a positive, loving friend
The bonus of releasing feel-good hormone, oxytocin, which is associated with bonding helps to create an emotional buffer from stressful situations, according to research at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Let the light shine into your room in the morning
Daylight stimulates our body’s production of serotonin, the so-called ‘happy hormone.’ ‘Studies show that getting light early in the morning helps set your body clock so you will be ready for sleep 16-18 hours later.
Exercise
A 2005 study from Harvard University suggests walking fast for about 35 minutes a day five times a week or 60 minutes a day three times a week improved symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Exercising under bright lights may be even better for seasonal depression: A preliminary study found that exercise under bright light improved general mental health, social functioning, depressive symptoms, and vitality, while exercise in ordinary light improved vitality only.
Take a walk
Spending time outside (even when it’s chilly!) can improve focus, reduce symptoms of SAD, and lower stress levels.
Take a Vitamin D Supplement
I like to call it the happiness pill because it lessens symptoms of depression and anxiety. I wrote about the benefits of Vitamin D back in December. Click here to learn more.
Eat mood-boosting foods
Studies suggest that the following foods may help reduce stress, ease anxiety and fight depression.
Just know you are a precious, vibrant, beautiful being! You have the power to take charge of your mood.
Namaste! 🙏🏼💋
Photo credits: Pinterest, Dr. Axe, W I L D ❂ B I N D I
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Great post with simple but useful tips….. 👍thanks
Thank you so much! 😍🤗💋
Meditation is my jam! I have meditated daily for years and I swear it keeps me sane! I love the foods you have recommended too, and didnt know some of them had this benefit! Pass me the cashews……. Great post xx
Lol, thank you 😘 Have a wonderful day! 🤗
I am all about mindfulness and meaningful living and these tips are a perfect reminder. It is important guide our thought process and being involved in one or all of these sets the mind right. This is timely…enjoyed reading
Thank you! 😍 Have a wonderful day! 🤗
Great post, very simple and useful tips, but we always ignore the simple things. Thank you
😄 Yupe
These are all super helpful 🙂 Vitamin D is especially good to have in your diet, it has helped me a lot over the years.
Thank you! 🙏🏼 happy to hear!22 days til spring! 💃🏽🎉🎊
Yay! It will probably take a few months for the snow to disappear here in Norway but at least it won’t be dark anymore 😊
Oh wow! Yes, the darkness is no fun.
Will be checking out yoga and meditation videos. I am always boosted when in the company of a good friend – saturday afternoons for a drink/late lunch and just possibilities.
🙏🏼 so good for us! 💕 the company of a positive loving friend. It’s an instant mood booster. 🤗
I used to live in Texas, but now that I live in Denmark this post is very helpful since there are a lot of grey days here.
These are great tips! I know as someone who suffers from depression, things are a lot harder in the cold, dark months. I’ll definitely give some of these a try.
Great!❤️
Thanks for the tips, I think this time of the year, when spring seems almost in sight but still really far away, is the hardest to get through!
My pleasure! I totally agree 😄