How do you recognize and prevent winter blues?
No need to panic: everyone has days when they don't feel quite in their element. Days when you have little energy, little desire to do anything, and any effort seems too much to bear. These days seem to occur more frequently in winter than in the heart of summer or early spring. And this is no coincidence.
"People who are sensitive to bad weather or the shorter days where it's dark as early as 5 p.m. may struggle more mentally during the winter.
Of course, there are also people who actually perk up in the winter and are more likely to suffer from summer heat. Still, there are more people who have a harder time psychologically in winter. In any case, remember that you are not alone: there are more people in winter than you think who are prone to depression."
Winterdip of winterdepressie?
"If you have a few bad days, you don't need to worry yet. However, if that negative feeling persists for two weeks or more, it's time to seek professional help. This is often when you can no longer function normally and you even lose interest in things that normally make you happy. It is important to prevent a dip from turning into depression. You must avoid falling into a negative spiral where you perceive only negative stimuli. It's crucial to keep seeing the positive."
"Being aware of this situation can already help. Acceptance is the first step to recovery.
Get rid of the winter blues Here are some tips to prevent the winter blues:
-
Keep moving: Exercise is not only good for your body, but also for your mind. Avoid insulation and get outside, even if it's cold. Exercising or working out indoors can also help. Exercise increases serotonin levels in your brain, which improves your mood, even if you don't feel like exercising at first.
-
Seek sunlight: Don't stay inside when it's dark and bleak outside. More lighting in your home can improve your mood. Any contact with the outdoors strengthens your physical and mental resilience.
-
Plan fun activities: Plan activities you enjoy and stay in touch with friends and family. Knowing that fun things are coming up can help prevent the winter blues from taking over.
-
Get plenty of sleep: Avoid sleep deprivation, even if you are in a winter mood. Catching up on sleep you missed during the day is not a good idea. Too little sleep can increase your vulnerability and negatively affect your mood.
-
Eat healthy: Choose fruits and vegetables instead of foods high in sugar. Avoid the tendency to eat comfort foods, which are not always healthy and can lead to weight gain.
-
Talk about it: Share your feelings with those around you. If talking to friends and family is not enough, do not hesitate to seek professional help from your doctor or through Tele-Onthaal.
