Many psychologists worldwide theorize that January is the most depressing month of the year. Some even say it can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Seasonal Depression.1 So how can you celebrate the Holidays in usual fashion without feeling a little let down when it’s all over?
Hey, December was a blast! Driving life down a happy highway of gift giving and present unwrapping, tickling scents and tasty treats, friends and family gathered together for a special time that comes but once a year.
In the heap and hype of the holidays, you ignore your thinning wallet’s starvation and splurge on your loved ones (or yourself) in a manner likely unequalled by any other time of the year, and all during the heat of an economic downturn. Your soul’s warming cheer makes the cold weather seem like perfect holiday weather. And to top off your New Year’s celebrations, amid your Holiday Season high, you set exciting resolutions that’ll improve your life ten-fold once they’re achieved.
Then your holiday season high ends abruptly when you wake up New Year’s Day.
All the factors that created your holiday cheer suddenly turn on you to create a feeling of January dejection.
While it may be too late to prevent over-eating, over-spending, and over-expecting, it’s never too late to repair the damage. Here are a few suggestions from Melaleuca to help you dig yourself out of January depression or steer clear of it altogether.
Be Grateful
One of the best ways to cheer up is to count your blessings. Make a written list of the things you have and how much better life is with them. Though deceptively simple, the act of writing out the things you’re grateful for activates a different part of the brain than just thinking about them. Plus, your list may come in handy later down the road on other blue days.
Get Outside
It may be cold, but going for a walk and breathing in fresh air can refresh your mind and body. Besides, indoor air quality is at its worst during the winter.
Exercise
Depression, especially in seasonal situations, has been linked to chemical imbalances inside the brain. Exercise is scientifically linked to your brain’s neurotransmitters, which help balance the brain’s chemicals. Though exercise has not been proven to completely cure depression, mental health experts agree that going for a daily jog or hitting the weights can help you work out your worries or subside your struggles.2
Talk
It always helps to talk–to a friend, to a family member, to a loved one. Anybody who will listen will help just by listening. And it never hurts to listen to their struggles, too.
Do What Makes You Happy
It’s a pretty simple concept. If you’re not happy, do something that will make you happy. But don’t indulge in destructive activities that may make you feel good now, but may hurt later down the road . . . like overeating, over-drinking, over-spending, or using drugs. Instead, try to engage in activities that’ll make you happy in short-term and long-term respects. Uplifting activities like playing, reading, exercising, chatting, serving, watching movies, and the like might be the right way to go.
Try Our All-Natural Luminex
Melaleuca offers an all-natural, patented supplement that can give you a more positive outlook on life. Luminex® helps regulate the key neurotransmitters in your brain linked to depression. It’s not an antidepressant prescription, but a vitamin supplement that includes St. John’s Wort, Griffonia, and vitamin B12, all proven to aid your brain’s neurotransmitters.
Consider the Circumstances
Depression in January is often a phase. You made it through last January. Rediscover the tools that helped you through last year’s blahs and put them to work.
Seek Help
If you can’t seem to climb out of the hole with any of these suggestions, seek help. There are literally thousands of support outlets online. Just search for “depression support” and you’ll find a myriad of options. There’s a lot of help out there because you’re not alone. Depression is a common struggle, especially in January. And if you’re still struggling, visit a doctor or counselor. Medication may be the solution.
1: “Jan. 24 Called Worst Day of the Year”
2: “Exercise Helps Treat Depression, Many Mental Health Experts Agree”
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Seems to be related to the amount of sunshine and plants… January/February seem to drag with no promise of any greenery. I’ve never tried Luminex, but will check it out. My brain could definitely use some neurotransmitting
I have found getting outside helps me a ton when trying to enjoy the winter. So many people just stay cooped up. I have found winter sports, and just walks on dry, cold days improve my attitude and outlook on life! I don’t think I need something like Luminex, but I am going to recommend that friends and family that struggle give it a try.
It would be difficult to diagnose the difference between winter blues and regular depression unless everything was going well in ones life and there were no physical, emotional reasons for the depression. There is no test for depression, no way of knowing the cause, no way of testing seratonin levels or even if they are responsible for depression etc..Even the MMPI is a subjective interpretation based on the observor’s training experience and personal beliefs and bias.It is all guess work based on what someone thinks they know about people and depression…Basically vitamin/mineral, hormone, food allergies, can cause depression.