Did you know?

• According to WHO study by the year 2020, depressive disease will become second disease in the world (overriding cancer, diabetes, arthritis, etc)?

• At northern latitudes, many people experience a lower mood, irritability, decreased energy, and changes in appetite, starting around now and lasting until spring?

• Winter depression accounts for about 10 percent of cases of major depression?

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression that occurs repeatedly at the same time of year, usually starting in the fall and ending in the spring?

• About 10 percent of people in northern states experience full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and another 30 percent experience sub-syndrome SAD?

• Sunlight has always been regarded as an antidote to fatigue and lethargy?

Don’t neglect emotions and feelings of others. They might need your help. Sometimes it is only a smile, one nice word, one touch that means a lot to them. Reach out. Give 10 minutes of good feeling every day to someone. You will notice a change not only in their lives but in yours.

Winter rules that prevent negative thinking: 

Stay outside. Research has shown that a daily one-hour walk, in the middle of the day is helpful for coping with the winter blues. Despite of cold weather go outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially at midday and on bright days. Inside your home, choose pale colours that reflect light from outside, and sit near windows whenever you can.

Keep warm. Being cold makes you depressed. It’s also been shown that staying warm can reduce the winter blues by half. Keep warm with hot drinks and hot food. Wear warm clothes and shoes and aim to keep your home between 19C and 22C.

Eat healthy. A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you putting on weight over winter. Balance your craving for carbohydrates with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Consult professionals to supply sufficient minerals and vitamins to your body.

Keep your body active. Join clubs, learn a new sport, go swimming, get warm in sauna, start yoga, join a gym, or do anything that appeals to you and it engages you physical activity.

Keep your mind active. Find new interests that excite you. You might enjoy playing cards, Sudoku, crosswords, writing journal or a blog, learn about foreign countries and cultures, learn new language or a musical instrument. Learn to think less negatively to improve your mood.

Reach in. Your inner life is a source. Meditation, prayers, inspirational reading, observation of nature and life illuminate your journey through darkness of winter. Commit to personal growth during long winter evenings. Spend time and enjoy activities you put aside in summer. Boost optimism by finding beauty in every day.

Socialize and reach out. See your friends and family, re-connect with people. Socialising helps ward off the winter blues. Make an effort to keep in touch with people, accept invitations, host your friends and family. Get to social events even for a little while. Talk to people around you, send a smile and receive a smile. Lift your spirit through giving and receiving. Share with others. Join a support group. Sharing has very therapeutic impact and it makes challenges more bearable.  Give 10 minutes of good feeling every day to someone. You will notice a change not only in their lives but in yours.