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8 Easy Ways to Beat Winter Blues & Depression Naturally!
Winters are particularly associated with moods of anxiety and depression, commonly known as ‘Winter Blues’. You may relate this to the longer nights, lack of bright sunlight, missing the warm and cozy temperatures and most of all being stuck up indoors with inactive lifestyle. All this adds up to the gloominess and inert mental states.
What Is The Harm?
Although winters may only present as triggers for the depressive moods, yet depression is not a new word for anyone between the age group of 9 to 90 years. During student life, the young aspirants seem to be struggling for their survival in this world of cutthroat competition. Then there are those middle age folks who suffer from subjugation of incomprehensible stress at the work place. The married couples are many a times contending with issues of incompatibility and the elderly complain of their being lonely and unaccepted. The result? There is rise in situations of suicides or suicidal attempts. Many a times this mental state takes the form of aggression or absolute frustration, and may even cause antisocial behaviour.
The Solution
During winters, or even otherwise, episodes of anxiety and depression seem just to be encompassing our lives, much like un-wanted friends. And taking in of medications (unless it is proclaimed mandatory by your doctor), could do more harm than good. Best way out would be to look for some solution that is safe, doable and enduring.
8 Ways to fight Win Over Winter Blues Naturally!
1. Rise and Shine
Winters are tagged with lazy mornings. But take this as word of caution. More the time you could be spending in the ease and coziness of your bed, all the more you become an easy target to lethargy, depression and diminished digestion. Therefore, make it a point to wake up early in the morning, actually with the first morning sun rays. The juvenile ultraviolet rays emitted during dawn tend to work as mind stimulators and mood dilators!
2. Exercise And Charge Yourself
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As and when it is doable to move out, take steps forward in the fresh air. Brisk walks and exercises will keep you on the go and give little chance for your mind to become stagnant. Yoga poses like Shavasana and Yoga Nidra and deep breathing techniques called Pranayama are going to help you greatly to relieve the depressive mental state, especially the Anulom – Vilom ( Alternate breathing) and Bhramari Pranayamas.
3. Eat Right
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Take to Vegetarian diet which is more Saatvik and therefore enhances positivism of the mind. More of seasonal fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, sprouts are good. Naturopathy suggests that to combat most of the ailments which includes depressive state of mind, you need to take alkaline diet more than 80%. Also, as sweet is one of the recommended tastes for the chilly weather (the other two being salty and sour tastes), you can indulge in having some dark chocolate every now and then. Not to forget drinking of warm water often, which will keep your system working.
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4. Aroma Therapy
Lavender oil as aromatic drops may be used in bath and burnt in the room for stress relieving aroma.
5. Everyday Massage
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Massage of soles of the feet with some warming oil like Sesame seed oil will benefit. Also, you need to use some cooling ( not warm in property) oil for everyday massage of your scalp, although these oils can be slightly warmed before massage. Elaadi tailam or coconut oil are good.
6. Meditation
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Practicing meditation is going to be of highest support. Use the longer nights of the cold season for reinstating your mental calm and balance.
7. Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy
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Ayurveda rejuvenating herbal formulations known as Rasayanas are a boon for these difficult times. Ashwagandha is the recommended Ayurveda herb of choice which acts as a natural stress buster. Also, Sarswatarishta and Brahma Rasayana are some Ayurveda medications that would be of assistance.
8. Recreation Is Needed
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Keeping mentally occupied during the day in any creative activity that makes you feel happy and positive is mandatory. At the same time, do not by any means succumb to the world of television. Rather, you need to keep your mind as much positively stimulated as possible.
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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