Because there is less sunlight in the fall and winter, when the days get shorter, some people feel sad. If you have seasonal affective disorder, try one of these new activities to keep your mind busy and get out of a rut.
1. Write Creatively
Putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard could help you if you want to keep a daily journal or write a series of short stories. Writing is a way for many people to work through their feelings, and it could help you do the same. Not everything has to be good. Some people just like getting their thoughts and stories out.
Writing fiction is a great way to take a break from the real world and make a world of your own. National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short, encourages people to write a whole novel in November, which is a busy month. Because the event tells you to stop being hard on yourself in October, you can write without any trouble. It might take some time to get used to, but NaNoWriMo is a great way to keep your late fall interesting with a challenge.
2. Take A Class
Learning something could be just what you need to keep your mind active while you’re feeling down. Your brain learns to do or look at things in new ways when you face new challenges. Whether you choose to learn about your state’s history or the different kinds of birds that live near you, you’ll be challenging your mind and keeping it busy during hard times.
3. Play On A Sports Team
Winter is not a big time for sports. Even so, you can join a league in your area. Getting involved in sports can help lessen the effects of depression by letting you meet new people. Getting more exercise can also make you feel better and boost your mood. You’ll meet new people and do something you enjoy, and you might even learn something new.
4. Volunteer Somewhere
By volunteering, you can give back to your neighborhood. Whether you volunteer at a soup kitchen or an animal shelter, the feeling of doing something good for other people can change your life.
Depression can make you feel like you can’t get out of bed some days. You can volunteer through your phone if you feel this way a lot. Some apps let you help people around the world and give back to your community.
5. Learn New Recipes
Most people with seasonal affective disorder have it in the fall and winter, which is also a great time to practice baking. You can learn to make a variety of desserts that will impress your friends and family during the holidays, or you can teach yourself how to make healthier meals with the root vegetables that are in season now.
You might have more fun in a cooking class if you go with a friend. If you learn best on your own, try the recipe on your own first, then teach it to a friend or family member to strengthen your relationship and keep you social. People come together over food, and once you know a few recipes, others will want to learn from you.
Keep Your Spirits Up However You Can
Depression is hard to deal with. As the months go by and the sky gets darker, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep in mind that seasonal depression won’t always be there. You might feel better if you try a new hobby that will make the dark days a little bit brighter.
