Avoiding the Blues in the Season of Red and Green

By Nicole Jovel, guest blogger

Ann Burnside Love’s Top 10 list to help seniors beat the winter blues

It’s wintertime and though some might call it “the most wonderful time of the year,” many seniors experience some level of winter blues. Fewer hours of sunshine, longer hours of darkness, and the potential for snow and ice can leave people in hibernation mode. When you find yourself more lethargic than usual or experience a general drop in mood, turn to Ann’s list of tips for beating the winter blues:

1. Music – according to researchers at the University of Missouri, people can successfully try to be happier, especially when cheery music aids the process. “For myself, I have music on in the background most of the time,” said Ann Burnside Love, founder and chair of Love & Company and resident of a suburban Maryland retirement community. “It picks me up and then I find that I get up and do things instead of just sitting.” And if your retirement community welcomes carolers, has a Christmas concert, or a trip planned to enjoy holiday music, don’t miss it.

2. Get up and dance – hand in hand with music, is getting your body moving to it. “You can dance right around your living room,” Ann said. “I do it all the time and it makes me feel better no matter the season.” Psychology Today reported that dance can both decrease anxiety and boost mood. Flip on an episode of Dancing with the Stars and move however you can along with the dancers and music.

3. Find the light – Do sunny skies mean a sunny disposition? If so, the winter days of shorter daylight can leave people feeling low. Your body needs vitamin D – which you can get directly from sunlight – and not getting enough of it is associated with low mood in older adults according to the National Institutes of Health. If your community has a garden to enjoy or outdoor seating, dress for the weather and take advantage of it.

4. Keep moving – While you’re out taking in the sunlight, take a stroll. The Arthritis Foundation says that “while walking boasts a number of physical benefits, it also can give the brain mental boosts as well” including a better overall mood. “Walking is one of the very best things you can do,” Ann said. “If you can walk, do it. It’s the way your entire body is going to be cheered up and geared up and you’ll be taking care of it at the same time.”

5. Tune in to your senses – Having an awareness of the present and what you are sensing can help you find enjoyment in life’s moments. “I like to drink aromatic drinks like hot chocolate, tea or hot cider and smell the fragrance and enjoy the appeal of such things,” said Ann. If something smells good, take an extra moment to take in the smell. If it tastes good, take time to savor the taste.

6. Dress for warmth and comfort – Ann recommends changing into an outfit that you feel especially good wearing. It might be something that you find really comfortable or maybe it’s a favorite article of clothing or even one that brings back a fond memory.

7. Stay connected – “Retirement communities offer so many opportunities at Christmastime. Speakers, programs, trips and all kinds of seasonal things are planned,” said Ann. Tap into these opportunities that are right where you live or pick up the phone and invite friends or family for a visit. “My grandchildren come have lunch with me and we talk and talk and talk. I have great fun and so do they. It’s a real treat.”

8. Add beauty – To uplift Ann’s mood, she goes to a nearby nursery every December to buy a couple of poinsettias. They add a touch of color to her apartment and gives her something beautiful to look at and enjoy. “Instead of doing lots and lots of decorating in my apartment, I do maybe a few things that I know I’ll really enjoy,” she said. “And the poinsettias do the rest.”

9. Keep it simple – It’s easy to get overwhelmed, stressed or even blue if holiday shopping seems daunting or you feel the pressure of time running out. There are only a few Christmas shopping days left until the big day is here, but it’s not too late to make it easy on yourself. “I order as much as possible online because it’s so simple and then I can take advantage of other people delivering the packages right to my door,” said Ann. Sweet Living Magazine says that online shopping takes the hassle out of it. You can browse on your own time without the stress of shopping and searching for the right gift. And when in doubt, think of gift cards because they allow the recipient to pick out something they really want for themselves.

10. Get help – Last but not least, know that you never have to face feeling blue alone. “If you know you’re really having a hard time, see your doctor,” advised Ann. Doctors see thousands of patients each year who are feeling blue this time of year and can offer professional advice on how to get your mood back on a positive track. “I find that some medications I regularly take might need a slight adjustment during the winter,” said Ann. “Your doctor can help with that to get you back to feeling on track.”

No need to let yourself get caught up in the holiday blues. Now that you are in a senior living community, enjoy the comforts and cheer of the season with all of your new and longtime friends.