Almost everyone struggles with some form of seasonal depression. In some people, it can be lack of energy, rise of anxiety, or moodiness. You can tell it’s a form of seasonal depression if these symptoms rise primarily in the late fall and throughout the winter months.
It’s hard to embrace how quickly the sun goes down, the lack of sun, and missing the beautiful colors of summer. Here are a few ways to combat this in the long winters of Wisconsin so you can enjoy the beauty around you.
Get Some Extra Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the most recommended vitamin to help combat seasonal depression. The clouds that hang in the sky giving us pretty white snow are depriving us of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is shown to help regulate our moods and decrease our risk of depression. When that is taken away, those risks rise. Consider talking to your doctor if taking vitamin D is right for your body during those grey days.
The cold and wet weather, along with work and school schedules, keeps many of us inside during winter’s few daylight hours. Luckily, there are lamps that can give you the same feeling; this is called light therapy. If vitamins are not the rout for you, light therapy is a great alternative for you. This type of lamp offers blue light, which exposes us to parts of the light spectrum that can help reset our circadian rhythm. This, in turn, can help improve our moods and energy. It’s direct light without the harmful UV Rays!
Get Outside at Home
This may be the last thing you want to do, but hear us out. Even though it’s winter, it’s still important to stay active. Being able to stay active will help shake those negative emotions out of you. Get all bundled up, breathe in the fresh air, feel the flakes on your nose, and admire the sparkles in the snow. Doesn’t that sound refreshing?
Set reminders on your phones, tablets, or even post-it notes to motivate yourself to go out and get active. Just a short trip around your yard or neighborhood will make all the difference.
You can also go back to your childhood roots and build a snowman! You’re not only enjoying the outdoors, but you’re also getting exercise as well!
Get Out & See Beautiful Sights
With the peacefulness of the Garden, you can fully experience the magic of winter, and see sparkling snowy scenes throughout January, February, and March.
There is beauty in each of our gardens, but our Arendt Conifer Garden steals the show this time of year. Beautiful shades of green from a variety of miniature conifer trees and dwarf pines will give you the fix of greenery we crave in winter. You can also get some conifer inspiration for your own landscape and discover how you can place dwarf conifers in your yard to enjoy their greenery year-round.
We even have a full day celebrating the wonders of winter! On Saturday, January 28, we throw a Winter Celebration from 9 am-5 pm, free to the entire community. Throughout the day, you and your friends or family can explore the outdoors, discover a variety of fun winter facts, and uncover surprises on a scavenger hunt. You can also try something new with snowshoeing (if there’s enough snow on the ground). Don’t let the weather keep you in… celebrate the season at the Garden with your loved ones!
Feeling bummed about the chilly winter weather is a common thing for so many of us this time of year. Take the time to nurture your roots at home, at a local park, or at the Garden, and embrace Wisconsin wildlife and the beauty of the outdoors this winter!
