The bleak sky, the harsh cold, the barren trees—it’s easy to see why so many people experience seasonal depression during the winter after the jovial atmosphere of the holidays has passed. This can be especially hard on mothers as they juggle their responsibilities, especially since many now feel trapped within their homes with nowhere to go and kids to care for. To help you preserve your mental health, here are some home improvements that help with seasonal depression.
Adding a Fresh Coat of Paint
Variety is the spice of life, and seeing the same thing every single day can be demoralizing. Color has a surprisingly powerful effect on our mood, so to give yourself a small project and to uplift the atmosphere of your home, why not give it a fresh coat of paint? Try something warm and bright to inject energy into the room or a nice green to invoke feelings of nature and harmony.
Starting an Indoor Garden
Speaking of invoking nature, starting an indoor garden is not only one of the home improvements that help with seasonal depression but also a soothing hobby you can do with your kids. Being able to see your hard work grow into something so aesthetically pleasing will uplift your mood by filling you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. With an indoor garden, you also have complete control over the conditions of your garden, such as providing the right soil or installing the optimal light. This requires some extra effort, but it provides a bigger payoff as you grow some truly bountiful plants.
Finding Your Zen with Exercise
Exercise is recommended for healthier living, both physically and emotionally. When it’s still too cold to go out and exercise and the quarantine prevents you from going to public gyms, you can use a spare room or basement as your own little home gym space. Exercises such as yoga give you a chance to stretch and focus inward on yourself. If you want a more intense workout, cardio such as jogging on a treadmill is great for losing weight. Whatever exercise you decide on, your body will feel more limber and energized, which will in turn improve your mood and confidence.
Your home never has to feel like a prison. Take control of your surroundings, and give yourself a project that will not only fend off seasonal depression but also give you something on which to focus as we wait out this quarantine and the dreadful winter weather.
Author Bio
Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.
