It’s the time of year when the blues hit the hardest. While many people turn to costly escapes, you can get the same results without spending a penny. Beat the blues this winter with these five helpful hacks!
Get moving. Move off the couch and do some crunches, hit the treadmill and burn those calories. Or, bundle up and go for a jog outdoors. When you get moving, so do those feel-good endorphins — and the blues won’t stand a chance!
Listen to some music. Music is strongly linked to our emotional state. Slow, classical music played at a low decibel level has a unique calming effect. If that is not your preference, evoke the power of memory by listening to music that brings you back to a happier time and place.
Spend time with nature. Research shows that spending time surrounded by nature can improve your physical well-being and cut down on the production of stress hormones.
If you live near a wooded area, take nature’s healing power up a notch. “Forest bathing” is the new stress-buster! All it involves is spending time alone in a forested area. A recent study found that participants who forest bathed had lower levels of cortisol, “the stress hormone,” than those who walked through city blocks. Take a hike in the woods and drop that stress for good!
Learn a new skill. Boost your confidence and get an instant pick-me-up by learning something new this winter. You can find a DIY tutorial on YouTube for practically any hobby or skill you can dream up. Become an origami expert, learn a new language, crochet the warmest blanket or even take up pottery!
Soak up some sun. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that makes people feel blue during winter months when days are short and sunlight is scarce. Kick SAD this winter by soaking in as much sunshine as you can. Open the shades to let the sunlight in while you work and try to squeeze in an early-morning walk each day so you are spending time outdoors while the sun is still up.
If you are experiencing financial-related stress, SeaComm’s partnership with GreenPath Financial Wellness can help! GreenPath provides SeaComm members with access to free one-on-one financial counseling, student loan counseling, debt management services and more. To learn more about how SeaComm’s partnership with GreenPath can help you, click here or call (877) 337-3399.