{"id":434,"date":"2023-11-17T16:41:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T21:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/?p=434"},"modified":"2023-11-17T16:42:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T21:42:41","slug":"embracing-the-light-a-guide-to-combat-seasonal-depression-and-cultivate-kindness-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/2023\/11\/17\/embracing-the-light-a-guide-to-combat-seasonal-depression-and-cultivate-kindness-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Embracing the Light: A Guide to Combat Seasonal Depression and Cultivate Kindness in December"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Angel Molekunnel, Manning School of Business Well-being Leader<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the winter chill settles in, I often find myself grappling with the all-too-familiar seasonal blues. The shorter days and colder temperatures seem to cast a shadow over my mood, prompting a quest for strategies to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In this blog post, I invite you to join me on a journey of self-discovery as I share my experiences and offer insights into transforming December into a month of giving and kindness, a balm for the soul during the darkest days of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combating Seasonal Depression<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Embracing the Sunlight<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first steps I take in combating the winter blues is to embrace natural light. Stepping outside during daylight hours, even if just for a few minutes, helps reset my internal clock and lift my spirits. I make a conscious effort to open my curtains wide, inviting the precious sunlight into my living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Establishing Routine and Stability<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winter months can feel chaotic, so establishing a routine provides a much-needed anchor. A predictable schedule, including consistent sleep patterns and regular meals, helps me regain a sense of control and stability, countering the feelings of isolation that often accompany the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would highly suggest purchasing any of the listed tools to help you with seasonal depression. Or, ask someone to gift it to you \ud83d\ude09 All of these are under $25. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light Therapy Lamp: <\/em><\/strong>Light therapy lamps mimic natural sunlight and can be beneficial for individuals with seasonal depression. Look for lamps with high lux levels and good reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/a.co\/d\/iuR64sI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aromatherapy Diffuser<\/em><\/strong>: Essential oils like lavender or citrus can have mood-boosting effects. An aromatherapy diffuser can help disperse these scents throughout a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/a.co\/d\/iuR64sI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cozy Blankets and Pillows:<\/em><\/strong> Creating a comfortable and warm environment is essential. Consider soft blankets, cozy throw pillows, or even a weighted blanket for added comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/a.co\/d\/7Zybwkm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

December: A Month of Giving and Kindness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude in Small Things<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shifting my focus from what’s lacking to what I have, I practice gratitude. Keeping a daily journal to jot down three things I’m thankful for helps me maintain a positive perspective, even on the gloomiest days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sprinkling Kindness Everywhere<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

December becomes a canvas for spreading joy through random acts of kindness. Holding the door for someone, leaving a heartfelt note, or paying it forward at a coffee shop\u2014these small gestures create a ripple effect of positivity that warms both the giver and the recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I navigate the winter blues, I invite you to join me in embracing the light, both metaphorically and literally. This December, let’s make a conscious effort to spread kindness and generosity. By combining strategies to combat seasonal depression with intentional acts of giving, we can transform the darkest days of the year into a celebration of warmth, connection, and self-discovery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Angel Molekunnel, Manning School of Business Well-being Leader As the winter chill settles in, I often find myself grappling with the all-too-familiar seasonal blues. The shorter days and colder temperatures seem to cast a shadow over my mood, prompting … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[20],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=434"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":439,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434\/revisions\/439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/wellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}