To counteract the impacts of seasonal affective disorder and winter blues, here are five top expert tips to keep your productivity going strong throughout the winter.
Feeling sluggish, finding it hard to get out of bed and just generally not yourself lately? It’s not you – there’s literally something in the air. 41% of U.S. adults said their stress increases between November and January, according tofrom the American Psychological Association. So with the colder nights and shorter days this time of year, how can you stay productive during the winter?
I spoke to Joy Parrish, licensed professional counselor and senior therapy manager at mental health company Headspace to find out how to beat the winter blues.for about 40% of the year, particularly during the fall and winter.
“While the exact cause of SAD isn’t fully understood, it’s often linked to the reduced sunlight exposure we experience during the winter months,” said Parrish. “This lack of light can throw several systems off balance by disrupting the hypothalamus – the part of our brain that regulates our heart rate, body temperature, appetite and the sleep-wake cycle.
Having less sunlight during the shorter days in winter can also impact your internal biological clock and circadian rhythm, which relies on sunlight to trigger when it’s time to go to bed and wake up.Now that the clocks have changed, you might find yourself walking out of the office to pitch darkness which can feel disorienting and depressing, and makes it hard to wake up the next morning.
Plus, exposure to daylight provides a boost of serotonin which can elevate your mood and help you feel calm and focused. “Without enough sunlight, our serotonin levels can dip, putting us at a higher risk of SAD. Morning sunlight in particular can boost our alertness as it suppresses melatonin, which helps us feel more awake and ready to take on work tasks,” she explained.
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