In 2005, Psychologist Cliff Arnall from Cardiff University created a seemingly legitimate formula for sadness that includes weather, debt, failed new year resolutions, and motivation levels. This formula was built to encourage people who were feeling sad to travel. However, there is some legitimacy as it pertains to the following three major factors:
- Vitamin-D: the deeper into winter we get, the lower our vitamin D levels.
- Increased debt: end of January carries high debt and credit card payments holiday and New Year ‘hangover’.
- Circadian rhythm imbalance.
Here are some easy tweaks to make to your morning routine:
- Wake up every day at the same time (no matter what time you go to sleep)
- Using SAD light technology or full-spectrum bulbs light exposure to reset serotonin.
- Start the day with HIIT – 30 mins translates into 12 hours of improved mood
- Contrast showers (1 min hot, 1 min cold, and end on cold!)
Now that your day is off to a great start check out these tips to get you over the midday slump:
- At your lunchtime or break (whether working from home or office), be sure to have a healthy meal and break
without your phone and social media 30 mins every day. - Besides vitamin D, consider other mood-boosting supplements like B vitamins, 5HTP, and NMN (which
helps to regulate the circadian rhythm)
Finally, you need to end your day off right:
- Embrace the winter and the cold and get out for a walk during the day/evening, no matter how dreary or what the
temperature - Reward yourself at the end of the day, whether that’s watching a movie, reading a book, or indulging in a sweet snack.
- If necessary, when it’s tough, seek help with a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.