3 ways to fight seasonal depression with mindfulness

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Written by Trisha Bhullar

fight-seasonal-depression

Winter is coming! And while that means snow and winter fun for the first couple of weeks, it also means freezing temperatures, shorter daytimes and more time indoors. That’s a messy recipe for seasonal depression! Here are 3 ways you can fight seasonal depression with mindfulness.

What is seasonal depression?

Seasonal depression is a form of depression that’s caused by changes in daylight and weather patterns. A host of factors like daylight savings and quicker sunsets could affect your body’s hormones like serotonin and melatonin. These hormones are key to regulating your mood and wellbeing. How do you know if you have seasonal depression? Well, some common symptoms include feeling tired or stressed, losing interest in activities you once loved, changing your eating patterns or changing your sleeping patterns. How could mindfulness fight seasonal depression? Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment — and it’s a great way to boost your mood. With mindfulness, you’re more likely to appreciate the small things in life and understand your feelings better. These are the tiny moments in your life that can lead to happiness, even in the coldest winter nights.

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Tips to fight seasonal depression with mindfulness

#1 Begin your day with a bullet journal

Bullet journalling is a mindful way for you to begin your day. It encourages you to refocus on your goals and most importantly, to begin the day with a good understanding of who you want to be. It’s a great way to fight seasonal depression because these micro goals or daily reflections give you something to achieve. You’ll end your day feeling accomplished and this recurring boost of happiness could tide you through the winter.

#2 Pick up meditation

Mindful meditation helps you fight negative emotions by encouraging you to deal with them in a healthy manner. All you need is 5 minutes a day! Take some time to sit in peace and reflect on your thoughts. How are you feeling? Why are you feeling that way? What can be changed? Don’t judge your thoughts — let them flow naturally and acknowledge them rationally. This way, even if you are feeling moody due to external circumstances, you’ll understand that. This understanding makes it much easier to pick yourself up and carry on with a more optimistic attitude.

#3 Keep fit with Yoga

With winter coming, you might have to drop your favourite outdoor exercise activities like walks and jogs. But exercise is a key way to boost your happiness and fight seasonal depression. A form of indoor exercise that you can turn to is Yoga. There are plenty of types of Yoga — from basic stretching Yoga to more intense hot Yoga. Set aside just 30 minutes of your day to a yoga session and this small segment of physical activity could boost your mood. This is key to fighting negative emotions and staying happy through the winter season.

With the days getting shorter, you might be looking to be mindful on a time crunch. How can you do this most effectively? Try a Timeqube. A Timeqube is a mindful timer that changes colour with the passing of time. It’s a simple, seamless tool that you can use to time your meditations, yoga, bullet journal sessions and more. Give mindfulness a go today and use mindful tools like a Timeqube to help you stay on top of your time.