Winter in Chicago can be dreary as hell.
Not only are the days at their shortest right now, but so many days are cloudy, bleak and overcast. I’m bumming myself out just writing about it. In fact, the only time that the sun seems to shine brightly is when the temperature is below zero, and those days are so brutally cold that we can’t really get out and enjoy it. Is it any wonder that so many area residents complain about the winter and dream of moving to southern states?
The Science Behind Winter Blues
If you are interested in really digging into the science of why sunshine (and a lack of it) affect your mood, you can read this study, Sunshine, Serotonin, and Skin: A Partial Explanation for Seasonal Patterns in Psychopathology. The short explanation is that there is a physiological link between sunshine and increased levels of serotonin, which is the chemical in your brain that affects your mood. Low levels of sunshine decrease serotonin. This can lead to feelings of sadness in people who otherwise do not battle mental health issues. For people already feeling down or depressed, it can make them feel even worse.
Natural Ways to Treat Winter Blues
Purchase a Light Therapy Box
A light therapy box is a light designed to mimic outdoor sunshine and boost your mood. These lights are designed to be used for 20 to 30 minutes a day with your eyes open but not looking directly at the light. According to the Mayo Clinic, your lightbox should be between 16 to 24 inches away. Some people like to read or journal while sitting in front of their lightbox. The Mayo Clinic also advises that your light should provide 10,000 lux of light and emit as few UV rays as possible.
Make an Appointment for Reiki Healing
Sabrina Washington is the Reiki Energy Healing Practitioner at Forward Emotion. A reiki session can help balance your energy systems throughout your body so that your energy flows efficiently through all of the control centers of your body. Balancing your energy in this way can lead to optimal physical and mental health. According to the International Association of Reiki Professionals, “Reiki is actually designed to trigger your body’s relaxation response, which can bring on immediate as well as lasting relief from stress on the physical, emotional and mental levels.” Sabrina can also incorporate aromatherapy or crystals into your Reiki session so that you can have the additional benefits of those healing modalities.
Have Fun!
Remember our latest blog post, Setting Goals Instead of Resolutions in 2020? Far too often, we humans set strict goals for the start of the New Year, and end up sucking all of the fun out of their lives. Yes, it’s good to eat healthy foods, exercise more, and pay attention to your finances. However, the trick is to start those things in moderation, on a plan that still allows you to enjoy each day. You cannot avoid the shorter days, the reduced daylight, but you can prevent yourself from adopting a diet so strict that you no longer enjoy mealtime or you skip brunch out with your girlfriends because it has too many carbs. You can adopt a budget that still lets you go to movies or concerts or take advantage of a cheap flight to the Florida Keys.
Even when it is cold and dreary outside, spending time outdoors on a walk with your dog or a hike with friends or family is beneficial in improving your mood. In fact, many dogs thrive on this type of weather, and you can enjoy trails that are too crowded or buggy in the warmer months to truly enjoy time with your pup. There are some great natural areas in the Chicagoland area, like the Morton Arboretum, Herrick Lake Park, or Starved Rock, or you can go to https://www.alltrails.com/us to find your new favorite park. Once you bundle up and get moving, chances are you will be happy to be breathing fresh air and freeing your mind from your daily tasks and concerns.
When the Winter Blues Become More
When your symptoms go beyond feeling temporarily bummed out or sad, come and talk to one of us here at Forward Emotion. If you think that you might suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression, we can find the right therapist for you and an approach to help you start feeling better. We want you to feel your best, 12 months out of the year, without having to move south to feel that way.
