The holiday season causes a lot of excitement, but it’s common to feel sad and lonely when it ends, especially in a senior living community. In some cases, the winter blues are a result of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder that cycles with the seasons. It is most common during winter when the days are short, with less sunlight, and the nights are longer. Find the best ways to avoid the winter blues in senior living in New Jersey by calling Clover Hill Senior Living at 201-485-4000 today.
How Can You Beat the Winter Blues in Senior Living?
Maintain Communication with Friends and Family
This action can involve receiving visits from your loved ones or maintaining communication with them over the internet through video calls, social media, or emails. You can also encourage your far-away family members to send you photos.
Go Outside
Winter months have reduced light, which is part of why it’s called winter blues. To get ahead of this, spend as much time outside as you can when the weather permits. Fresh air and sunshine are guaranteed to boost your mood even if you go out only a few minutes daily. Remember to layer up and wear non-skid winter boots before heading outside.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep can immensely help in fighting winter blues. Sleep lets your body and mind heal, therefore, restoring your energy. On the other hand, lack of sleep will leave you feeling lethargic and unmotivated.
Exercise Daily
Daily exercises are a sure-fire way to elevate your moods all season long. Your body releases endorphins whenever you exercise, which acts as a natural mood booster. For this reason, motivate yourself to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Some of the exercise options you can engage in include:
- Pilates
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Walking
- Cycling
Eat a Healthy Diet
Winter blues can make you crave foods and snacks that are high in sugar and fats. Such carbohydrate-packed foods leave you energized at first. However, you will likely experience more intense feelings of moodiness and lethargy after the blood sugar levels drop. They also put you at risk of gaining unwanted weight. Instead, eat foods that are rich in protein, in addition to fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Our gourmet chefs in our senior living community prepare balanced meals to keep your body at peak conditions.
What Are the Signs That You Might be Suffering from the Winter Blues?
Mostly, winter blues start appearing towards the end of fall or at the onset of winter and carry through winter to spring and summer. The symptoms can begin as mild feelings of moodiness and get more severe as the winter season progresses. Common signs that you or your loved one are suffering from the winter blues may include:
- Insomnia
- Sluggishness and lack of motivation
- Feeling depressed most of the time
- High irritability
- Sadness and hopelessness
- Lack of concentration
How to Manage the Winter Blues
Treatment of SAD and winter blues often requires a combination of phototherapy, medication, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Phototherapy involves the use of artificial lights that mimic natural outdoor light to compensate for reduced light conditions in winter. This simulation tricks the brain to alter the patient’s moods. For your comfort, antidepressants can be administered before the first signs of the winter blues start.
Learn How to Beat Winter Blues at Clover Hill Senior Living
At Clover Hill Senior Living, we foster multilateral personal development in all our residents to ensure that your golden years are happy and healthy. Some of the services we offer include:
- Private culinary services
- Integrative assisted care
- Medication management services
- Individualized care plans
Contact Clover Hill Senior Living at 201-485-4000 to help you or a loved one avoid the winter blues this season.
