Exclusive: What is Winter Depression? Expert suggests self-care tips

New Delhi: We all are shivering in these days of winter as the temperature is continuously falling and the number of daylight hours is decreasing. While some people love winter and have happy memories of sipping hot chocolate wrapped in a blanket, others prefer the pomp and circumstance of festivals. However, others experience indicators of sadness and gloom as winter approaches and consider it a miserable time of year.

In fact, the weather has the ability to affect your mood, performance, thoughts, and virtually everything else. Psychologically speaking, a sudden change in mood such as sudden low feeling, not feeling like eating or going out etc. is actually a disease called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Aroba Kabir, Mental Health Counselor and Founder, Enso Wellness Winter explains the concept of depression and suggests some self-care tips.

People with SAD usually display a variety of symptoms depending on how they are feeling at the time. The most typical signs include feeling tired and sleeping more, having a persistent depressed mood, and cravings for carbs and sugars, which can result in excessive weight gain and affect one’s self-confidence. Such presentations can have a serious impact on a person’s daily life and productivity, preventing them from interacting with others and making them feel isolated.

do not be alarmed; It’s not as serious as it may seem, and countless other people around the world share your sentiments. If you are determined not to let winter get the better of you, incorporate the following into your daily routine and enjoy a pleasant winter:

1. Be like a sunflower Morning time is a boon for you as research has found that exposing yourself to natural light and spending as much time outside in the sun as possible can make you feel energetic and refreshed for the whole day.

2. Watch Your Diet It is okay to indulge in a high-calorie yummy dinner once in a while, but eating a diet rich in carbohydrates and sugar is not recommended as they can disturb your sleep and thus make you feel lousy the next day. Keep a food diary and record everything you eat each day; This will enable you to analyze your eating habits and make better decisions.

3. Get up and try to be active – Since lethargy is a common symptom of SAD, it’s important to engage in activities that help keep you moving. You should engage in some form of physical activity to keep your energy level and mood up.

4. Get help You can also talk to close friends, family members, or a mental health professional to share your situation and get their support.