We’ve all experienced those days. You know, when getting out of bed and starting the day seems too hard. When things you normally enjoy doing bring you little interest. And when you just seem too tired to really do anything at all. Normally brought on during the late Fall and into the Winter months, it’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, better known as SAD. But though these feelings may sneak in from time to time, taking a walk just might be the solution for getting you past them and feeling more yourself again.
See the Sun. Sure, daylight hours and sunshine are at a minimum in the Winter months, but getting in a walk in natural light does wonders for helping boost your mood. A walk in sunshine fires up your happiness hormones—endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin—leaving you feeling, well, just downright happier!
Look to Nature. Don’t just wait for the sun to shine to get out for a walk because studies have shown that a walk in nature can lift your spirits. Not only does a walk through the trees and fields decrease stress, but it actually helps you rephrase your thinking, turning negative thoughts into positive. It might even help you become a kinder person as this study found where people behave more ethically after experiencing a feeling of awe when exposed to a beautiful, natural setting.
Let it Wander. Sometimes we need a way to work through our thoughts and feelings. To process why we’re feeling the way we do. But finding that clarity as you go through the whirlwind of the day usually doesn’t happen. So, try taking a walk. As your legs and feet fall into a steady rhythm, your mind has an opportunity to wander and think. You’ll find a new sense of perspective can really flip the switch on how you’re feeling.
Sleep It Off. When you feel rested, you have the ability to act and react more positively throughout your day, helping you kick that cranky SAD feeling to the curb. According to research reported by Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep, there is solid evidence that exercise does, in fact, help you fall asleep more quickly and improves sleep quality. In fact, the research shows that 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise—like walking—can improve the quality of that night’s sleep.
Just Get Moving. Yep, we know. Your energy seems like it sunk to the bottom of the barrel, but taking a walk can actually re-energize you and give you the momentum to thrive through your day. Sure, those first steps will be the hardest, but you’ll find that you’ll have more energy at the end of a walk than when you started. In fact, a study from the University of Georgia showed that “sedentary people who regularly complain of fatigue can increase their energy levels by 20 percent and decrease their fatigue by 65 percent by engaging in regular, low intensity exercise.”
Feel Accomplished. As human beings, we are wired to crave and love accomplishment. Completing a walk gives you a sense of satisfaction, especially when you track your walks and see those miles add up. So when the doldrums of winter find your motivation lacking, just putting one foot in front of the other can seriously turn things around.
There’s no doubt that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing. It can creep in when you're least expecting it, and really put a damper on your day. But, as you can see, walking provides many healing and mood-boosting benefits, just the answer you need to lift your spirits. So, next time SAD gets your down, take a walk. You just might find a smile on your face at the end.
And though walking is an amazing natural mood lifter, if you are finding yourself experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder more often than not, it may be time to seek the help of a professional.
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