6 Ways Boomers Can Beat the Wintertime Blues

Baby boomers, are the wintertime blues destroying your bliss?

It’s no wonder, with storm systems dumping record-breaking temperatures and snow, blizzard warnings, and surges of cold arctic air in most of the country. And the latest weather reports are not offering much hope for a change anytime soon.

Baby boomers have a higher prevalence rate of depression than previous generations anyway, according to experts. No doubt this weather is not helping matters for the over 50 crowd.

During the last few decades, medical experts have officially recognized the winter blues as a medical condition, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Women are often affected more than men and the disorder is of course more prevalent in northern climates.

Symptoms of SAD include depression, low energy and less productivity, headaches, inability to sleep, lack of concentration, and decreased interest in activities that usually bring pleasure. In extreme cases, you’ll need medical attention.

However, the good news is in most cases you don’t need to suffer any longer with a few lifestyle changes. Don’t let SAD engulf you. Here are a few tips to help you endure these cold, dark months:

• Using light therapy with a specialized light box for 30 minutes a day is a very effective treatment. Make sure the box has more than 10,000 lux, which is more than 20 times stronger than the average light bulb. Some insurance companies cover the cost if patients are using the light under a physician’s supervision.
• Spend more time with supportive and loving people.
• Get more light by walking outside on a bright winter day. Or bring more light into the home. Install a skylight, sit close to a window and read a book, trim branches that block sunlight, and of course, keep drapes and blinds open.
• Get more light by walking outside on a bright winter day. Or bring more light into the home. Install a skylight, sit close to a window and read a book, trim branches that block sunlight, and of course, keep drapes and blinds open.
• Get plenty of rest, eat right, reduce stress, and exercise regularly. These are things you should be doing anyway, but are particularly important if suffering with SAD.
• This is a no-brainer, but if you can afford to do so or you’re planning a vacation, visit a tropical destination for a much needed break from the weather.

Follow these tips and don’t despair. Spring is right around the corner!