Depending on where you live, winter is already here or coming very soon. The winter season is tough for many people. The skies are gray, the snow keeps people inside, and although the holidays are fun, they are still very stressful.

Even the most well-adjusted and otherwise healthy men can experience seasonal depression. And, once the cycle starts, it can be hard to break until the light and warmth of spring arrive. However, in some regions of the world winter can last six months! That’s a long time to suffer with seasonal depression.

These tips should help you with a mild version of the winter blues. If you feel truly depressed, then you should see a doctor. Depression is a serious mental illness that can be treated medically. However, for those who just have the winter blahs, here are our four tips to beat seasonal depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a proven mood booster. Yet, when do we typically exercise? Not when it’s ten degrees outside and snowing! It’s so much easier in winter just to sit on our butts snacking and watching our favorite television. But, that’s bad for mental health/

To avoid seasonal depression, find a way to exercise. Hop on a treadmill, go to the gym, and maybe even find a sport or activity that lets you…

Go Outside

The negative ions in the outdoor air can give us a mood boost. But, when we’re stuck inside on a winter day (or week or month), we don’t get the mental health benefits that come from being outdoors. Resist the urge to stay indoors during the winter.

To get outside more often, you can try something as mundane as going for a walk to as adventurous as taking up cross country skiing. Whatever your choice, getting outside during the winter months is essential to keeping your mood elevated.

Stay Connected (In Real Life)

Winter can be very isolating. It’s typically darker and colder, not to mention that snow and ice can keep us inside for long periods of time. The summer barbecues and late evenings hanging with friends are a thing of the past. Don’t let them be.

Don’t let the winter weather stop you from getting out of the house and hanging out with friends. Meet for coffee, go shopping, hit the clubs, etc. Do something with a friend or family member regularly. While social media and the telephone are great if you’re snowed in, once the weather clears, get out and hang in person.

Learn Something New

Starting a new activity or hobby is great to make you feel better. Learning something new keeps our brain sharp. In addition, having a goal or positive outcome gives us a more hopeful outlook since we have something to look forward to. This winter, learn a new skill, take up a hobby, try a new sport, or try something else you’ve always wanted to do. Stop putting it off.

While summer may be the ideal time to do this, we probably need the stimulation more in the winter, especially for those who suffer from seasonal depression. If you’ve always wanted to learn to play the banjo or you have any other unfulfilled goal, then let this winter be the time to achieve it.

Beat Seasonal Depression

I hope you found these tips helpful. They should go a long way in making this winter more fun and happy. But, don’t just read them. Beating seasonal depression requires you to put them into practice. Don’t wait for the winter blues to take hold. Start acting on these tips before the depression arrives!

Once again, remember to seek help if you are seriously depressed.

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