Advice on fighting depression during the winter?
I feel like I've tried everything, I was doing so well but ever since winter arrived my depression and anxiety have gotten worse. I have hobbies that I can do inside but even those don't seem to bring me any joy currently. Does anyone have any advice that is a little more outside the box?
@Gulliverstravels What you're going to need is sunlight, get outside for ven a few minutes a day. If the day has well enough sun, go outside. Sunlight can help especially during the winter. I'd try staying by a window too to get a view of outside and not stay stuck in a darken household. Listen to uplifting music, find funny things to watch or read, and give youreslf a few deep breaths to relax.
For me, keeping the house brightly Lit has helped. It may be dark & gloomy outside... but it doesn't hav to be inside. I hav extra Lamps and use higher wattage bulbs. 'Daylight' LED bulbs are commonly available now. They hav a spectrum much closer to the Sun (a pure White light)
@Gulliverstravels
I understand your plight very well! I live in a place that tends to be dark and gloomy in the winter time too. I'm sure you've tried many things as you stated and that's wonderful you have a variety of hobbies you can do indoors! Have you considered getting a light box? That helps tremendously when natural sunlight isn't available. Also, being outdoors on those few days where the sun does shine is very helpful. Something I do to is I make sure I open all my windows to let in as much natural light as possible and I also use house plants to help bring an outdoor feel inside. I hope you feel better soon!
I actually do have a light box, I do my light therapy daily but I feel like it's not helping much. I wish I could get outside but it's freezing and snowy where I live and I'm a huge wuss about the cold.
Personally I'm not a fan of light boxes, but in the winter I like to go sledding and snowboarding, even if it's on an easy slope :) I go out with friends and family too. Make it a weekly thing to go out to dinner or something. There are also indoor recreation places you can go to, like a trampoline center, skating, or an arcade / game center. Hope this helps.
Are you getting enough vitamin D? I take a supplement during the winter months, and it seems to help.
You need sunlight.