The winter blues are at their peak as we work our way through January. Sometimes the feeling of isolation, the lack of Vitamin D and the the short days can be too much to handle.

It’s right after Christmas and for some, there’s nothing to look forward to anymore. We’re hit with the reality that it’s another year in which we will fail to keep our new year’s resolutions.

This season can be especially challenging for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs once a specific season starts and ends when another begins.

According to webmed.com, It typically happens in the fall and winter then ends once spring begins. This can occur in the summer is possible but it’s less common. It’s critical to know the difference between having the winter blues and suffering from SAD because these tips don’t apply to everyone.

Here are some tips to take your mind off being trapped in your feelings, cold temperatures and the lack of sun:

Music and entertainment

Create a playlist that reminds you of spring or summer. Songs that usually were released in past  summers tend to help when I feel down. It seems to trigger memories of when I would listen to those songs in the summer.

Also watching funny videos or movies seems to help a lot. Laughter is the most effective medicine for feeling down. Sometimes funny compilations on YouTube or funny memes on Instagram get the job done — at least for a bit.

Exercise

Yeah, crazy concept, I know. But exercising, whether we like it or not, can help in many ways. When it comes to feeling blue, exercise can be the second best medicine to brighten your mood.

Exercise allows people to blow off some steam or make them too tired to even care about the rest of their worries. You can blow off some steam with boxing, running or yoga.

Hit the lights

Quite frankly, I am tired of going to school when it’s still dark and coming home when it’s dark.  Lighting up your home helps the body and mind think it’s actually warmer outside than it is.

Light therapy with special light bulbs or lamps can increase the Vitamin D intake that winter seems to decrease; taking supplements helps too.

Travel

Take a trip to a warmer place for a bit to clear the thoughts of being closed away in your home due to the snow and wind outside.

Even if you can’t afford to go far, go somewhere. Getting out and about can really be a stress reliever. A change of scenery sometimes is necessary to get things out of sight and out of mind.

Plan out activities

Something to look forward to always helps but sometimes transportation is a little hard when it snows. Make plans at least once a week to have fun or just to relax.

Go bowling, watch a movie or have a spa day with your friends. Once you get your mind preoccupied, the day can become a lot better.

Countdown

I always count down the days until the first day of spring starts so I can finally feel at ease. I also make sure to not allow myself to become too lonely and stay distracted as the days seem shorter and darker.

Trying to fight the winter blues is a hard battle, but it isn’t impossible. Make sure you’re productive and distracted from the cons of winter and it can allow you to feel a lot less down during these cold days and make spring seem closer than it is.