Ammon – With the approach of winter, the cold weather, and the decreased opportunity to see the sun and feel its warmth and morning rays, many people suffer from a deterioration in their mood, a feeling of sluggishness and laziness when performing many tasks, and the desire to stay in bed.
Researchers and doctors were unable to find the main reason why we feel this way in the winter, but there are theories that the lack of sunlight affects our daily routine and the body’s biological clock, which leads to excessive production of melatonin (the sleep hormone), which in turn means… Low energy levels and feeling tired, along with low levels of serotonin (the happiness hormone).
One of the things that also causes this is the mentality we have about winter, as we tend to keep negative connotations in our minds about winter and darkness, considering them to be bad things, while we see summer and sun as good things.
Scientists believe that what is known as our “winter mindset,” which is a set of ideas, beliefs, and expectations that we hold about winter, may hold evidence of the season’s impact on our well-being and mood. That is, when we see winter as a threat, and we hate it, we hold a negative mindset in Winter season, which makes us see winter from a perspective of doom and gloom, and affects our mood.
Besides, when we feel tired and low in mood, it affects the motivation to do things that are in line with our goals and values, for example going to the gym, and we may eat more fast food than usual to boost energy, and we become less willing to meet up with friends. And family.
Also, waking up when it is dark outside is a challenge, as we want to stay under the warmth of blankets, and are afraid to go out into the cold. In the summer, waking up to natural sunlight gives us a charge of energy.
How do you maintain your happiness in winter?
In Tromsø, Norway, they experience the “polar night,” where the sun doesn’t shine from November to January. However, a recent study in Tromsø found that there is no link between poor mental health and lack of daylight. However, in other cities, many of us struggle with the changing seasons, and some even develop seasonal affective disorder, experiencing symptoms such as low mood and lack of motivation. And feeling tired. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to feel optimistic during this season.
Reframe your winter mindset:
As we mentioned previously, if we view winter as a time to enjoy, we have a positive winter mentality, which instantly changes our mood. Among the positive associations we maintain with winter are: enjoying cozy times by the window, watching the clouds, and the rain falling.
You can practice changing your way of thinking by highlighting what brings you joy in the winter, and searching for these experiences.
Spend time outdoors:
In the winter, there may be a strong urge to stay inside, due to the cold weather, but spending time outside in nature has a very positive effect on your mood and mental health. So, try to find a balance between spending comfortable time indoors, as well as spending time outside, as simply breathing fresh air, or moving your body, can improve your mood.
Savor the winter experience:
When you intentionally savor winter experiences, such as connecting with friends by the fire, or enjoying the last rays of sunshine on a cold afternoon, it acts as a mood booster, by amplifying the positives in the experience.
“Gulf Flower”
