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COVID Winter

TYH: Our mental health amidst a COVID Winter

Oct 27, 2020 | 10:34 AM

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, the lack of sunlight is a large cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD.

And while the days have already become shorter, this year there is an added layer for potentially feeling more down, the pandemic.

“One thing I’d be encouraging to look at this year is the SAD lamps or the mood lamps where it actually replicates sunlight. It helps with those feel good chemicals in our brain and this year particularly, recognizing all the additional stress that is on us, it might be something well worth looking into.”—Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Educaton and Projects, Canadian Mental Health Association Prince George

Spagrud suggests that getting involved in community events where you can safely participate amidst the pandemic are important—specifically this year.

Finding perhaps a ski club or simply purchasing warmer clothes so that you can socialize safely this winter are ideas Spagrud suggested to ensure a positive mental health this winter.

“If we go into winter with the attitude that it’s going to be awful and it’s going to be lonely well when we have those kinds of negative thought patterns they impact our feelings, our behaviors, our physical health and we can really get into a vicious circle.”—Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Educaton and Projects, Canadian Mental Health Association Prince George

Trying to go into the winter with a positive outlook is something that Spagrud says can help set your mind up for success, instead of looking at it from a negative perspective.

She also reminds us that while doing all of the above is important, ensuring that we continue routines of self-care are truly important to not only our mental health but overall wellbeing as well.

How will you be setting up your mind for success this winter? Let us know in the Facebook comments or tweet at us.

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