Mental Fitness

[TanithSeh1011]

Hello everyone,

I have this issue that I have never really been able to beat. Every winter as it becomes too cold to get out as much I find I get horrid winter blues. I'm, in general, unmotivated. When I was in the military I had access to a free gym and that helped a lot, but, now that I'm out I don't have such a resource and I find it is very difficult to make myself even want to go to work (i like my job in general).

What do you all do to beat winter depression?

~Tanith 

(P.S. I'm not so bad that I require a medical professional just a bit blue.)

[Taurus21]

Search on YouTube. Look at the Be Fit and Livestrong channels for a start. Hope this helps and you can beat those winter blues. Also, I use Leslie Sansone walk at home videos to get steps.

[GreenIriesEyes]

You might want to try a supplement called 5-htp. It helps balance serotonin levels. High levels of serotonin promote a more "cheerful" disposition and also helps your body deal with stress. If you are feeling increasingly stressed out an herb known as ashwagandha may also help. Ashwagandha is a aptogen herb that helps your body to deal with stress- physical stress, environmental stress, or even emotional stress. I hope this helps you out!

[LordHeathen]

Exercise can be done without ever leaving the house, you could do as much as full on bodyweight resistance to just pacing around the home. I am studying psychology (6years) and I don't really like the supplement side of things as I have been down this road. I much prefer mindfulness to reset the way I think, but it's important to recognise when you feel at your most calm and notice your breathing in and out like waves in the ocean. It is said that concentrating on breathing for a few mins everyday is enough to bring you back to the present and with practice makes this may work for you.

[I-train-hard]

Fallow one rule.

Don’t think, just do it.

Get you behind to gym, forget all the pills – you don’t need them, do something for yourself. Yeah, something just for you..….you the one who benefits from all the exercise is you.

Be happy, life is short. You are important.

[llama112]

5 HTP isn't something you want to take every day as it can be dangerous to take on a daily basis.  Yes it can help beat the blues but once a week is the max I would advise taking it.  It is different for everyone but daily is NOT recommended unless a doctor agrees that it's okay.  It increases seratonin but can increase it too much.

🙂

[LuV2Train]

Try taking Vitamin D as well.  Just remember Winter only last a few months not forever.  going to the gym and continuing to do things you enjoy shouldn't stop or find new hobbies to do inside when it's cold out.  I'm usually not as active either at least I feel I'm not so why not spend that extra time in the gym, trying new exercises/workouts so you don't get bored.  I also took on DIY projects with skids this winter so I'm not focused on how depressing winter really is.