Editorial of January 10, 2024

Beating the Winter Doldrums

The hectic holiday season is behind us and, following the winter solstice, daylight hours are slowly beginning to increase again, marking the change in season. However, cold weather, short days, slumbering landscapes and a dearth of natural sunlight often herald a spell of low spirits known as the winter doldrums, or seasonal depression. Health professionals suggest such things as catching up on sleep, light therapy, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and washing your hands a lot to help ensure a happy, healthy winter season. They also suggest those prone to seasonal slowdowns and emotional slumps—the “winter blues,” if you will—work on sharpening the mind and getting off the couch. We’re going to focus on the last two, highlighting things you can do to beat that inevitable winter funk.