Most people who live in a place with changing seasons experience some symptoms of depression in the winter time. There is a clinical condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition is diagnosed when the symptoms are extreme and interfere with the individual’s life. S. A. D. is believed to be caused by the absence of enough sunlight in the winter, and is often treated with light therapy.

Although S. A. D. sufferers have more intense symptoms, many of us undergo some change in mood during the winter months. We may feel laziness and an increased need for sleep. The cold makes us want to stay inside our houses. We want to eat warm, starchy, creamy foods that are more fattening than the fruits we might crave in the summertime.

When all these factors combine, it is not surprising that we experience a bit of depression. Being cooped up inside make us feel trapped and isolated. It is essential to find ways to fight these feelings. Here are a few ideas for activities that can help.

Learn a New Hobby

We all have things that we’ve been meaning to learn, but have yet to make the time for. Winter would be a great time to pull out that Alvarez acoustic guitar you bought ages ago and still don’t know how to play. Buy a chord book and get started! If you’ve been meaning to learn how to sew, now is the time to do it. Make good use of the extra time you are spending at home.

Leave Your Apartment

One of the problems with winter is that we feel trapped in our houses or apartments. This is generally only in our heads, though. The cold is not as terrible as we perceive it to be. Go out for a meal with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or just get coffee. Invite your sister to join you on a quest for the perfect leather brown boots. Just getting out of your house and changing your scenery can make a huge difference.

Start Exercising

There is nothing like exercise as an antidote for depression. The chemicals that your body releases during exercise lift your mood all on their own. Even if it is too cold to go out for a walk or jog, you can find many ways to work out. Find a video that has an aerobic or muscle workout routine you can do at home. Join a gym if you have the money to do it. There are lots of ways to get exercise.

Winter may seem dark, cold, and endless, but with a little bit of effort, you can definitely fight the ‘winter blahs.’ Distract yourself long enough with these activities, and suddenly, you will look up and it will be spring!