HVNY Q+A: How to beat the winter blues
QUESTION: I know there hasn’t been much snow this season, but I still get seasonal depression during these cold winter months – any tips to help ease my winter blues?
Answer (from the Dutchess County Office for the Aging): Although the sun is staying up longer this time of year, by about three minutes a day, many older adults have just about had enough of winter by now. The “late winter blues” can compound the effects of seasonal depression. Feelings of isolation, disconnect, anxiety and stagnation can also impact levels of depression. But while we look for spring outside as well as on the calendar, here are some tips on how to boost your mental health, with help from Poughkeepsie- based Family Services (29 N. Hamilton St., familyservicesny.org):
Seek Sunlight. In Dutchess County, winter means fewer hours of natural sunlight, one of the root causes of seasonal depression. Some scientists theorize the lack of sunlight produces unstable and disruptive amounts of both melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep; and serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. If you’re not able to get out into the sun, investigate purchasing a light therapy lamp.
Get some exercise, indoors and out, even if it’s cold. The benefits of exercise for the health of our bodies are well-known, but recent studies also show exercise increases our sense of well-being and focus, likely from a boost in serotonin. Exercise is good for overall health, including mental health. Join the Office for the Aging at our Poughkeepsie Friendship Center (114 Delafield St.) on Monday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. for a dual presentation covering exercise and falls prevention, as well as our new Friendly Calls program. Space is limited, so please contact OFA at 845- 486-2555 to save your spot. Light snacks will be available.
Add Some Splashes of Color – Try decorating with colors that invoke a feeling of warmth, such as yellows, oranges, and reds–which all happen to be hues of the sun. A few bright throw pillows could make all the difference.
Get Enough Vitamin D – Consider a vitamin D supplement during the darkest three months of winter. Research indicates a vitamin D deficiency can result in diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and even depression. Ask your doctor for more information regarding Vitamin D deficiency.
Set Your Sights on Something “Spring-y” – While we might not be able to go on vacation to someplace warmer, there are other things you’ve no doubt been wanting to do. Having something to look forward to is a sure blues buster. Try a new hobby; Office for the Aging Friendship Centers throughout the county are great places to start up new hobbies or renew older ones, with locations in Beacon, East Fishkill, Millerton, Pawling, Pleasant Valley (Tri-Town), Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, and South Amenia. Contact the Office for the Aging to find out more, and visit www.dutchessny.gov/ofanutrition for a look at this month’s Friendship Center menus and activity calendars.
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