To beat the winter blues when living the Myrtle Beach, SC retirement life, adopt a healthier lifestyle, participate in more social activities, and consider boosting your sunlight exposure or using treatments such as light therapy.
Located on the South Carolina coast, Myrtle Beach is a great area for retirees to live. Just like anywhere else in the country, however, the winter blues can come on strong and cause your mood to suffer. Seasonal depression affects about 1 in 20 U.S. adults.
So what are the best ways how to beat the winter blues in Myrtle Beach, SC? Below, we’ll tell you everything seniors need to know about beating the winter blues once and for all.
What Causes the Winter Blues?
The winter blues, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), are closely related to the fall and winter months. Those who experience the disorder usually do so because of the reduced sunlight exposure during these months. A lack of sunlight can negatively impact how much serotonin is being produced in the body and can also lead to increased melatonin, promoting sleep and leading to tiredness.
Other factors may contribute to the winter blues as well, such as a decrease in social connections during these months, as well as stress brought on by the holiday season.
How Long Do Winter Blues Usually Last?
Experiencing seasonal depression is incredibly common, and symptoms can last nearly half of the year. In particular, the five months starting in October and extending to February are most known for the winter blues.
Not all adults and seniors will experience the winter blues for the same length of time. When it comes to aging and mental health, some may only experience symptoms during a few of these months.
Symptoms a person experiences may also vary, with some people experiencing only slight mood changes and others experiencing more extreme sadness. Some possible physical symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in heart rate
- Slow body movements
- Gastrointestinal distress
What Are Three Ways to Beat the Winter Blues?
Beating the winter blues usually takes a combination of strategies to get it right. Here are some mood-boosting tips to follow to successfully beat the winter blues.
Check Your Lifestyle and Health
To beat seasonal depression, it’s important to consider your current lifestyle and make sure that you’re doing everything you can to maintain your mental and physical health. Maintaining an exercise routine, getting adequate sleep, and eating right can all help you keep your body and mind healthy.
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, then adding a vitamin D supplement may also help pull you out of your funk. In more severe cases of SAD, a doctor may also prescribe antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other forms of treatment.
Try Light Therapy
Seasonal depression is primarily brought about by a lack of sun exposure during the darker months of the year, when days are shorter. Getting more time outdoors and in the sunlight may go a long way toward helping your condition. You may also simply want to keep your windows open more often so that plenty of natural light will stream in.
If you’re finding it hard to get sun exposure, then you may also want to consider light therapy. Light therapy can serve as great seasonal support for seniors, and the artificial replacement to sunlight can help improve your mood.
Socialize
Participating in activities to expand your mind, build skills, and socialize can be incredibly helpful for reducing stress and improving your winter emotional wellness.
If you live in an independent living community, consider spending more time socializing with others, going to events, and participating in fun activities. Doing so can help to brighten your mood and give you a great way to pass the time and keep the season as positive and fun as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Toughest Month of SAD?
Generally speaking, January and February are the most difficult months for adults and seniors who experience seasonal depression. During these months, exposure to sunlight tends to be at a minimum, and days are much shorter compared to the rest of the year.
Emotional mood changes that started earlier in the fall and winter may also pile up and begin to weigh down on a person as the months go by. This can lead to an even harder time once the new year arrives.
What Vitamin Helps With Winter Depression?
Vitamin D is often recommended to sufferers of seasonal depression, but taking a vitamin D supplement isn’t effective for everyone. Vitamin D supplementation may work best only if a person is deficient in vitamin D.
Adding the supplement can be worth trying, and may be beneficial, but symptoms should be monitored closely to see if any changes occur. Especially in more severe cases of SAD, other treatments and lifestyle changes will likely be needed as well.
What Exercises Are Good for Winter Blues?
Just about any kind of physical exercise and activity can be helpful for reversing the winter blues, including aerobic exercise and strength training. As the heart rate rises and as blood circulates, chemicals such as endorphins are released that can make you feel euphoric.
Walking, running, and swimming are great options to consider to experience these benefits. Additionally, consider group exercise programs and activities that emphasize the mind-body connection, such as yoga and tai chi. This can allow you to experience even more benefits while significantly boosting mental health.
Understanding How to Beat the Winter Blues
If you want to learn how to beat the winter blues in Myrtle Beach independent living, take the information above to heart. Making healthier lifestyle choices, socializing more, and using light therapy are all great solutions to consider.
If you’re looking for a welcoming and active senior independent living community in South Carolina, consider TerraBella Myrtle Beach. With excellent amenities, welcoming residents, and comfortable floor plans, you’ll be happy you moved in.
Want to learn more about our amenities and floor plans? Get in touch with us today to learn more about what TerraBella has to offer seniors in South Carolina.
