How Seniors can Beat the Winter Blues
Right about the time the leaves turn brown, many older adults experience the blues. Less daylight, colder weather, and the approaching holidays can create the perfect recipe for seasonal depression. This is especially true for seniors who may be cooped up at home or living alone.
Some signs that you or a loved are experiencing the winter blues, also known as Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), include sleeping longer, mood swings, lost interest in usual hobbies and activities, no desire to leave the house, staying in pajamas, and neglecting grooming.
On the bright side, there are steps you can take to help prevent feeling down this winter. See the following tips to improve your mood and make the most of the season. However, if your sad feelings persist, please follow up with your doctor, who can offer additional solutions to help you overcome SAD and enjoy life again.
Seven Tips to Beat the Winter Blues
Welcome Sunshine – Open the blinds and curtains to let in natural light and soak up mood-
elevating Vitamin D.
Get Fresh Air – If weather permits, go for a walk or take a drive to reap the benefits of being
outdoors and a change of scenery.
Mark Your Calendar – Schedule lunch and coffee dates, time for grandkids’ activities, and
holiday parties to have social events to look forward to and maintain valuable personal connections.
Find Your Inner Child –Embrace and enjoy the season by sipping hot coco with marshmallows,
making a snow angel or building a snowman!
Stay on Schedule – Stick to your everyday routine and avoid urges to cancel appointments, sleep
too much during the day, and spoil your appetites for meals with too many snacks.
Eat a Rainbow – Eat a colorful, well-balanced diet that includes the right amount of protein,
carbohydrates, dairy, fruits and vegetable to boost your mood and energy.
Move and Groove – Exercise to induce the release of feel-good hormones by cranking up the
radio and dancing to your favorite music, lifting light weights or practicing seated or standing
yoga.
Improve Your Outlook at Pathway to Living
If the thought of spending another winter at home with the worry of shoveling, shopping and seclusion is off-putting, then you may be ready for a lifestyle change.
Pathway to Living communities offer options to meet a variety of older adults’ needs with independent living, assisted living, and memory support. As a Pathway resident, you can enjoy your own private apartment home with services and amenities offered in a social and secure setting.
The benefits of senior living include restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, access to care and support as needed, social events, health and wellness programming, and transportation. What’s more, Pathway to Living recognizes that pets are family too and, as such, welcomes mood-uplifting cats, dogs and birds!