- Employee , Student
- 12/01/2024
Struggling with the January blues? 6 tips to beat your winter dip
If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and are low on energy and motivation throughout the day, you might just have a winter dip. But you’re not the only one. In January, many people report they feel lackluster, gloomy and tired. With the festive month of December behind us and spring seeming nowhere in sight, it can be quite a challenge to get through January in good spirits and full of energy. That’s why we’re about to give you some tips to beat your winter dip!
1. Make sure you get plenty of vitamin D
Did you know you need vitamin D to produce enough serotonin, aka the happiness hormone? A shortage of serotonin can make you feel dejected and unenergetic, so it’s important to keep your vitamin D level up. Normally, your body produces enough vitamin D when you’re exposed to sunlight, but during the dark winter months it’s smart to complement your daily dosage with a dietary supplement. You can also give your body a vitamin D boost by using a daylight lamp and regularly eating fatty fish, such as herring, mackerel and salmon.
2. Keep moving
When you have an energy dip – and especially when it’s cold and dark outside – it can be very tempting to exercise less and just chill out on the couch. But it’s exactly at times like these that it’s important to stay active, because when you exercise (preferably outside) your body produces endorphins – another happiness hormone you can’t do without. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go for a run or drag yourself to the gym; taking five thousand steps a day can already have a positive effect on your mental health. Do you feel like the threshold’s too high? Agree to go for a walk with a friend – now you have to go out, and it’s more fun like that anyway.
3. Consume less or no alcohol
Many people associate drinking a glass of wine or beer with relaxation and fun, but did you know alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on your mood? A night of drinking may, for instance, give you feelings of depression, because alcohol reduces your sleep quality and sparks the production of stress hormones, a phenomenon that’s been dubbed ‘hang-xiety’. A good reason to participate in Dry January or at least decrease your alcohol consumption.
4. Plan fun things
Having fun things on the horizon is important when your day is not going as you had hoped or when you feel a bit down. So break out the new agenda that you got from Santa and plan it full of activities that give you energy, such as exercising, movie night, a day out or a museum visit, so you always have something to look forward to.
5. Learn something new
The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to start a new hobby, which could benefit you in a number of ways. When you learn something new, this means you need to make an effort, which puts you in a pleasant state where you’re completely engrossed in what you’re doing – aka ‘flow’. Various studies have shown that seeking out the flow zone correlates with feeling happy. So if you’ve always wanted to learn how to play chess or the piano, there’s sure to be a course or club nearby catering to that potential new passion of yours .
6. Have a chat
When we’re not feeling well, we’re sometimes inclined to close ourselves off to the outside world. At times like these, you may not feel like company, but it’s important to stay in contact with the people around you. In fact, our connection to other people is considered the most important factor determining our level of happiness. Which doesn’t mean you have to go to big parties; having a chat with colleagues or neighbors and expressing a genuine interest in each other can already serve as a nice boost. And while you’re at it, why not ask them if they’re also struggling with a winter dip? Who knows, you might be able to give them some great tips after reading this article. If not, at least you’ll feel better knowing you’re not the only one. And whatever happens, do keep in mind: this too shall pass. Guaranteed!
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