SENSE OF ISOLATION SO EMBRACE THE WINTER
Daylight Savings Time gets everyone’s panties in a twist. The sky gets darker faster a few weeks before and then bang! It gets even darker, even faster. Toddlers and young children suddenly don’t understand sleeping in until 7 am. They only understand waking up at 6 am. Then it gets colder. Then the snow falls and everyone hides. They hide from the world. And most importantly, they hide from themselves. Some people get sad, and others suffer from Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD). But what can you do to help prevent feelings of deep depression and sense of isolation over the cold and dark winter months? Only one thing, and that is to embrace the winter. You can simply smile and begin tackling winter sports.
SYMPTOMS OF SAD ARE MORE COMMON THAT YOU THINK
About six percent of the population in the US suffer from SAD. SAD is a mood disorder subset affecting people who have normal mental health throughout the year. Some signs and symptoms of SAD according to the Mayo Clinic may include a sense of isolation and other segregating feelings. Feeling depressed every day, and all day is common. Losing interest in activities, having low energy, as well as issues with sleeping are common. You may change the way you eat, because your appetite is different. Some can also feel sluggish, agitated, hopeless, worthless, and even suicidal. You may even oversleep and have low energy.
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CHANGE YOUR MINDSET, SEE THE POSSIBILITIES IF YOU SIMPLY SMILE
With winter being darker faster you need to change your mindset. Embrace the winter, the cold and the possibilities of change. Did you know that if you simply smile can make you unintentionally change your brain? Smiling sends a message from your face to your left frontal cortex and boom, your brain begins to believe you are happy, and you begin to feel happier.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU CAN DO OUTSIDE
Do you know that there are amazing winter sports? Neither did I, but there are a lot of them. If we examine the Winter Olympic Games, there are speed skating, figure skating, curling, ice hockey, luge, hockey, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, bobsledding, snowboarding and so much more. Pick a sport and learn it. Did you know curling is amazing and highly addictive? You need to play it. Or a snowmobile? Those are fun to ride.
BLAST THROUGH MASSIVE HILLS OF SNOW IS FUN
So embrace the winter and blast through massive hills of snow on the side of the highway while you flip passing drivers the bird. Snow shoeing is also crazy fun. And then there is something my friends and I made up – tree top snow competitions. Get teams together, go to a vastly populated forest, pick several trees, stand under the tree and shake it just enough for the snow to tumble on top of your head. A judge who was previously chosen walks around measuring the amount of snow that has dropped on your team’s head. The team that has the most snow gains a point. You can do this for a long time sober or drunk. Your choice.
GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING FUN OUTSIDE WITH PEOPLE
Get out and embrace the winter. There’s no need to feel a sense of isolation. Simply smile and get out of the house a do something fun outside with other potentially depressed people. You will be grateful.
