Is winter ever going to end?...
This winter has seemed longer than others. At least, I've felt this winter more than ever. Not in the sense of the cold, dreary weather.
I'm talking emotionally. Mentally.
Clouds have hung over my head in the last few months. I'm typically described as a positive person, so these prolonged feelings of blah are not in my arsenal of character traits. It weighs heavy. Days consist of work, gym, and retreating to the house to "relax".
While my body is still, my mind is restless. And it's tiring.
What the hell is going on? What is this funk?
Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I first heard this about this condition while in my first year of college. The RA had a corkboard in the hallway listing out the causes and symptoms of this disorder, as well as some ways to combat it. At first glance, I realized that it made sense. The winter months can seem long sometimes. But could it really affect my biological self?
Absolutely. According to the Mayo Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is brought on by change of season, lack of sunlight, and decreases in things like serotonin (mood levels) and melatonin (sleep levels). This can cause a myriad of things, like low energy levels, issues with sleeping, being sluggish, and feeling depressed, hopeless, etc.
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar as you are reading this? If so, you may be under the SAD curse. Luckily, there is a way to combat this debilitating monster!
Travel.
Traveling can cure many ailments. And it is no different with SAD. Here are a few ways that traveling can get you to the finish line over the next few months.
Distract your mind
We all deal with negativity in different ways. One way is by simply distracting yourself. Take a break from the negative thoughts and replace them! Focus on planning for your trip - where do you plan to eat? Any cool Airbnbs in the area? What is your itinerary? Once you take off for the trip, you don't have as much time to be in your own head. Instead, you are taking in the newness around you.
Get up and moving
This should be an obvious one. The winter blues makes you want to lounge around, which leads to feeling blah. Your body may start to feel bad, as well as you mind. It's like the chicken and the egg at that point - a vicious cycle of doing nothing, and feeling guilty about it. That is why you need to get moving!
By literally moving around, you are allowing your brain to receive endorphins - this is the feel good stuff. Exercise your body by walking around a new town or taking a hike at a state park. Soak in the new environment - your brain is exercising by expanding. In real time, your body is releasing endorphins, which creates the happy feeling. Shaking off the rust will boost your mood!
Put something on the calendar
The winter is long. Real long. I mean, January feels like a year within itself. Give yourself something to look forward to!
Summer is too far away to have a vacation - treat yourself with something small before then. A circled trip on the calendar can keep someone sane by breaking up the months. You can occupy your free time with planning for the upcoming weekend adventure. After work, rather than going home, turning on Netflix, and scrolling through Instagram for the 3rd time that week, you can look up where you plan to visit, things you need to buy before the trip, etc.
Wear yourself out (in a good way)
Question: What is the best kind of sleeping?
Answer: When you arrive to your hotel after a day of traveling (close second is going to bed any night while on a vacation).
Vacation is exhausting - in the best way possible! Hiking through the woods, shopping in the stores for your souvenirs. and grabbing a drink after a long day is tiring. This is good. Seasonal Affective Disorder can make you restless - sleeping may become an issue for you. Your racing mind keeps you awake. Not with a quick mini-vacation! Even when you come back home, you will have no trouble sleeping.
Hit the Reset Button on YOU
Of all of the benefits of taking a quick trip, hitting the reset button is the biggest impact. Seasonal Affective Disorder can clutter and fog your mind. The monotony of the daily grind wears on you. It begins to feel like you are a cog in a machine - creativity can be at an all-time low.
Traveling is like knocking down spider webs. Hitting the road can prevent and destroy stagnation - you can throw on a good podcast and allow yourself to literally leave the clouded environment. The new area can provide for new perspectives not previously held before - a new take on food, different work practices, etc.
Sometimes, the most exciting part of a new trip is the unknown - you find yourself powerwalking to your next destination (or maybe that is just me). You can't wait to round the corner or step inside that store to experience the newness. Your brain will thank you for the endorphin rush!
The trip back home will be refreshing. Rather than the same old thoughts, you will think of new recipes to try, new ways to decorate your home, and a fresh mind when returning to work on Monday.
Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect anyone. The long winter can keep you down and inside - break through the everyday blah by putting a mini-trip on the calendar!