According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, "winter blues are a wave of low emotions that come with these cold, dark days". The typical symptoms are:
Here are some ways you can improve or maintain your mood this winter: 1. Let the light in Get outside during the day if you can, keep your curtains open, and when indoors, spend as much time as you can near the windows. Even if it’s cloudy, getting some daylight can help boost your mood. 2. Get physical Even though hitting the gym might be the last thing you feel like doing, physical activity is always a great tool to help you manage your mental health. Start small and try a lunchtime walk around the block. 3. Try to keep a normal sleep schedule It might feel like your bed is the only one who understands this funk you’re in but over-sleeping can actually worsen the symptoms of the winter blues. 4. Give yourself a pat on the back – you’re doing great. Battling low moods is no easy feat, and it’s important to be kind to yourself. You’re stronger than you think! Remember to have regular check-ins with yourself, and to spend that extra time on self-care if you need to. Considerations during the PandemicWhile it’s important for everyone to stay home and practice physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, staying socially connected with family and friends is incredibly helpful for everyone’s mental health. “During crisis situations, it is important that we lean on each other for support as we are stronger as a collective than as a single individual,” says Dr. Matthew Boyle, psychiatrist. “Staying connected can also help family, friends, and those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly, feel less isolated.” In a time when many people are consuming news about the pandemic throughout the day on various devices, Dr. Boyle says taking a break to socially connect can be beneficial to a person’s health. Here are ways you can do while respecting the guidelines outlined in the website of the Gourvernement du Quebec: 1. Play an online game: You can find apps to play board games, word games, or even work on jigsaw puzzles together virtually. Another way to utilize technology is to set-up video-conferencing where different households can see one another on their screens, and join in a visual game like Charades or Pictionary. My personal favorite is Scattegories. 2. Online movie night: Find a time for friends to connect online and watch a movie together. For example, Netflix Party enables friends to watch its shows online, synchronize video playback and a group chat function. There are a variety of apps that can help you watch movies together but it may be easier to find the same movie, and for everyone to just hit ‘play’ at the same time to watch, and chat throughout the movie using text or another app. Find the app that works for you and your group, get the popcorn ready and start watching. I suggest, Disney+ GroupWatch. It has built this exact feature for this exact reason. Happy watching! 3. Write a letter: You don’t need technology with a good old-fashioned hand-written letter or card. It may not be immediate interaction, but it can be a nice way to let people know that you’re thinking about them. For those who don’t have a computer or access to technology, it is a way to keep in touch. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy getting mail that’s not a bill? 4. Catch up on a call: Before video chats and texting, there was the telephone. Give a friend or family member to find out how they’re doing. You don’t always need to see each other on a screen. Sometimes it’s just nice to hear another person’s voice and have someone to talk to for a little while. 5. Digital coffee club: Grab a cup of java and make a virtual date with friends. While it’s not the same as meeting at your favourite coffee shop, getting cozy at home with a cup of coffee and making a plan for a video chat or phone call with friends can be something to look forward to. In a time where staying home is key, it’s a way to ‘catch up over coffee’ that can bring warmth and connection in more ways than one. 6. Hold a virtual social event: The main idea here is to join a group while maintaining a safe distance. For those working at home, this might be the last thing in your mind. In oder not to feel like work. Try to use a different platform you usually use for work. If your choice of application has those augmented filters -- use it and be creative; have fun! Mentalfloss.com has some ideas that you could be interested. Wherever your creative juices flow through, the idea is to be creative during these video calls and make it not seem like working. If you don't know where to start, you can start here at meetup.com. We are all finding new ways of connecting during the pandemic and it’s so important in maintaining our mental health and helping to reduce stress. Despite the physical distancing necessary for living in this new reality, it may be an opportunity to perhaps reconnect with loved ones on another level, and in a way, maybe even feel a little bit closer.
Be socially responsible. Stay safe everyone! © 2021. Quepinos. Enjoyed reading this? Hit that share button. NOTE: We do our best to keep our articles up to date. However, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is always current and or complete. This website is intended to be used as general information only, not as legal advice.
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