Winter Pick Me Ups

Following the high of holiday family time and festivities, you may find yourself with January melancholy settling in. If you happen to be 1 of 90-some percent of individuals, you have fallen off the New Year's resolution bandwagon, your bank balance is operating in the red from costly Christmas gifts, and there's no work holiday in sight for a couple of months.

It is no wonder an estimated one in five Americans have symptoms of SAD or seasonal affective disorder, typically referred to as the winter blues. You could be sleepier than usual, not have the energy to socialize, and be craving carb-laden comfort foods.

Sound familiar? The bad news is we're still a long way from basking in the warm glow of the summer season. The good news is life doesn't have to stop just because it seems colder outside than Antarctica.

While you need to speak to your medical professional if you feel depressed for several days and have lost interest in things you typically take pleasure in, there are lots of do-it-yourself treatments for the occasional case of the seasonal blues. We've rounded up some of the most effective things you can do to get yourself out of your funk.

Automate bedroom lights to turn on a half hour before your alarm goes off. 
One of the main symptoms of winter blues is increased difficulty getting up in the morning, even if you've had plenty of sleep. Plugging a bright, fluorescent lamp or light box into a timer and having it turn on before your alarm goes off will help simulate an artificial dawn.

Get some sunlight as early in the morning as you can. 

The idea is to maximize the number of hours you spend in the daylight. Wake up early, and lift the curtains or go outside as soon as you get out of bed.Just getting outside and taking a walk in early morning sunlight could do you a world of good, according to WebMD. Morning light exposure is especially effective in treating symptoms of seasonal depression, according to some research.

The wonderful sun in a box.

Another helpful option is to get a light box, which simulates sunlight and helps regulate the brain chemicals that affect your mood. As little as a half hour to a full hour each day of use can help lift your spirits. Just a few weeks of light treatment have been proven to help around 70 percent of patients.

Take your vitamins

With less exposure to sunlight, our vitamin D levels plummet during the winter. While there's nothing like the real thing, a study from NYU found people with SAD saw improvements in their mood with a vitamin D supplement. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends taking 2,000 IU of Vitamin D daily. Another supplement which has been shown to help with seasonal depression is melatonin. The hormone helps regulate your sleep cycle, which can be off balance because of the shorter winter days.

Stay active

Yes, we know. Who wants to brave the blistering cold to go to the health club when you could just as simply remain curled up on your couch with a warm drink and cozy blanket. But physical exercise can enhance your feelings of well-being, help you stay positive, and even help you get your energy back by increasing your brains feel-good chemicals. So why not make the most of it and embrace what winter has to offer! Get your exercise and some sunshine and even burn some calories in the process. One more bonus of staying active.

Get out of the house

Being socially isolated can make you more vulnerable to mental health problems and down right lonely. Some researchers believe that one in five people feel sad simply because of social isolation. If you're feeling down in the dumps, the last thing you might feel like doing is having to put on your happy face and go see people. But doctors say, the more you withdraw, the worse you will feel. So take advantage of the slow winter months and try something you've always wanted to do, like a new hobby, volunteering or attending some local events.

It smells like happiness

Smells can be a significant source of comfort and evoke memories of happier times. If you are a huge believer in alternative medicine, or even if you happen to be a skeptic, it's worth giving aromatherapy a shot to lift your spirits. An NIH study found aromatherapy can be an efficient supplementary remedy for people with depressive symptoms. Lavender in specific has shown to assist with symptoms of depression and insomnia. For seasonal depression, aromatherapy professionals advocate oils like bergamot, jasmine, and neroli among other folks. Try adding a couple of drops of these important oils to your bath water, in a diffuser, or aroma lamp to assist relaxation.

Chow down on some chocolate

Is there anything some chocolate can't fix? Some research suggests that dark chocolate (containing 70 percent cocoa or more) helps boost dopamine levels in your brain. Great news, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Derived from HUFF POST: 8 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues

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