There are many reasons to be excited about the holiday season. There are plenty of activities to take in, excitement in the air, and lots of gatherings to attend. There’s a reason it’s often called the “most wonderful time of the year.” 

However, when the holidays end, many people report getting into a seasonful funk. After everyone returns to reality in January, it’s often hard to get back into routine when the weather is less than perfect and the days are short. Another factor may be SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Up to 20% of Americans suffer with the disorder each year and it occurs as the seasons change (usually during the winter due to lack of sunlight during the day). 

Beating the winter blues can be difficult at times, but here are some great suggestions to enjoy the season to the fullest:

1. Soak in the sun as much as possible. It’s difficult during the winter months to get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as you can in the summer. Because the weather is colder, people tend to stay indoors more often. But even if you can’t get outside, be intentional about sitting in front of a window and using natural light to read or relax. Get outside whenever possible, just be sure to bundle up properly before heading out. Not only will the natural light help your mood, but it can boost your vitamin D levels through the darkest months of the year. 
2. Talk to your doctor about artificial light therapy. If your attempts to enjoy more natural light during the day just aren’t making a difference, you may also want to consider artificial light therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders and other conditions.” 
3. Fill your plate with nourishing foods. There’s a reason people tend to reach for comfort foods during the winter months. Rather than giving in to your cravings for sugary treats when you’re not feeling the best (which can actually contribute to worsening depression symptoms), opt for nourishing comfort foods instead. A steaming bowl of vegetable soup or a hot cup of herbal tea are sure to go a long way to helping you feel better. 
4. Move your body. No matter the time of year, studies have shown that exercising will lift your spirits more often than not. Join a fitness class, go for a swim in an indoor pool, or practice yoga in a bright, beautiful location. If the weather permits, get outside for a brisk walk. 
5. Stay connected. The adjustment from spending time with loved ones during the holidays to going back to your daily routine can affect people of all ages. So, be sure to stay connected to loved ones with in-person visits, calls, emails, texts, or letters. Studies show that the quickest way to relieve symptoms of stress is to spend time with people that make you genuinely happy. 
6. Offer a helping hand. Studies have shown that helping out a neighbor or community contributes to an increased level of contentment and self-esteem, which can fight off the depressive feelings that accompany the winter blues. Whether you help a neighbor out with a menial task or volunteer at a local charity, you’ll be sure to feel better while also contributing to making someone else smile. 

If you have given all of these suggestions a try, but you’re still feeling the effects of the winter blues, it may be time to reach out to your mental health provider to talk about options for treatment. 

Go Places with Bellaire at Stone Port

At Bellaire at Stone Port, we take pride in our activities program. Our community provides a variety of daily activities, seven days a week – morning exercise, church services, board games, bingo, singing, art and craft projects, movie nights, coffee chat, shopping trips, lunch outings, and much more! Residents are welcome to participate in activities based on their preferences and abilities.

To ensure the social, physical, and cognitive needs of our residents are being met, activity assessments, apartment visits (a visit focused on residents who are not participating), and monthly programming meetings are standard practice.

Transportation to local churches, doctor’s appointments, shopping, banks, and exciting destinations for outings are also provided. Our outings are resident-tailored and based on the interests, requests, and comfort levels of our residents. Here are a few outings and events Bellaire at Stone Port’s residents enjoy:

• Scenic drives to Massanutten Resort for fresh mountain air
• Annual Partnership with Sentara RMH Hospice Brunch
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s every October
• Monthly Lunch Outings
• Quarterly “Friends and Family” Events (Join us for delicious food, tasty libations and live music)
• Annual Community Events including our biggest events of the year, “Spooktacular” and “Breakfast with Santa”

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Looking for a lively, welcoming place to call home? Schedule a visit to Bellaire at Stone Port and discover the joys of carefree senior living.