If you find yourself struggling just a little more in January, you’re not alone. Post-holiday blues, which tend to hit around mid-January, are a cumulation of a number of things. It’s darker in January, and short, cold days keep us inside more. This can spark bouts of Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can trigger or exacerbate mid-winter blues. After a holiday break that is often anything but restful, it’s challenging to find the motivation to get back to work and be productive. Many people notice themselves getting tired more easily, craving sugar, or feeling sluggish around the middle of January.
Becoming part of a coworking community like Cohere means you don’t have to battle the mid-January blues alone. Book a tour of Cohere Coworking today!
While we can’t change the amount of sunlight during the day nor control the weather, there are several things we can do to help mitigate the effects of the mid-winter blues.
Get Moving
Even a modest exercise routine can improve physical health by reducing blood pressure, increasing lung function, and strengthening bones and muscles. As an additional benefit, regular exercise also helps to boost and stabilize your moods. It does this by increasing the amount of mood-boosting hormones like serotonin and endorphins and reducing the overall levels of adrenaline and cortisol, the body’s stress hormones.
Experience Nature
While there aren’t as many baby animals or flowers in bloom in the winter, there’s something to be said for the quiet beauty of a snow-filled field. Many of the winter days here in Northern Colorado are even warm and sunny enough to get outside—for an hour or two at least. Just 10-30 minutes of midday sunlight every few days provides a significant boost in vitamin D, regulating mood and lifting depression. If your stroll takes you near the CSU campus or Old Town Fort Collins, keep an eye out for squirrels. They tend to be particularly frolicsome and well-fed in these areas.
Explore Something New
Novelty is a natural motivator and mood booster for the human brain. One area of the brain, in particular, the substantia nigra/ventral segmental area of the brain, only lights up when the subject is exposed to something completely novel to them. When humans are exposed to novelty it increases the level of dopamine in our brains, a hormone linked to motivation levels. There are plenty of fun winter things to do in Fort Collins, including ice fishing throughout Colorado, and ice skating in Fort Collins Old Town Square.
Get Creative
Experimenting with creativity has a plethora of both physical and mental health benefits. Artistic expression is one of the fastest ways to improve mood and sinking into a flow state is known to help combat both anxiety and depression. The calming nature of pursuing creative endeavors also reduces blood pressure and protects the heart.
If you aren’t sure what your next creative project should be or would appreciate the company of other crafters while you work, join us at Cohere for the next Crafternoon session!
While we can’t control all of the circumstances that can lead to the mid-January blues, we can take actions to mitigate the effects. Exploring new things, experiencing nature, and staying active and creative can all help to improve your mood and counteract the effects of the mid-January blues.