HOW TO GET THROUGH WINTER WITH A SMILE.

You don't have to have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to notice that your mood dips a bit in the winter. Waking up in the dark, getting up to a cold room, battling daily the cold snow, sleet or rain—these are just a few of the inconveniences in winter.

No wonder we bemoan winter and long for the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer”. But you don't have to accept the misery of winter, you can learn to love it. And, if loving winter is a stretch, you can at least minimize the inconveniences and discomforts.

One way to increase your comfort in winter is to decrease the time you spend being cold and miserable. Staying warm is critical to surviving winter.

Too many of us don't dress appropriately for the weather. We wear our fall jackets all winter and only put on winter gear if we're going skiing or for a walk.

Yet scarves, hats, mittens, and a warm coat can make the drive to work, or the walk across the parking lot much more comfortable.

Investing in a car heater, albeit an expensive option, significantly decreases the amount of time you spend struggling to stay warm in winter.

Icy roads, freezing rain and wind, or snowy conditions can make it easier to stay home and hibernate during the long months.

Isolation increases depression so staying socially active is critical. It's hard to motive yourself to go into the cold when it's so much easier to stay home and warm.

Spontaneity often decreases during winter months, so plan ahead and establish routines and rituals that get you out.

Set up a weekly Sunday brunch date with a friend, join a book club, bowling league, or cooking class. Plan monthly potlucks with friends or join the gym or a class with a buddy.

Commitments get us out on those days when it would be so much easier to stay at home.

During the winter it can seem that sunshine is a scarcity, but that's not true. Environment Canada's website shows that most of BC gets at least 16 days of sun each month during the winter, even the places that feel socked in by rain all winter long.

So, take advantage of a sunny day when you have one by sitting near bright windows. Open your blinds and shades and let the sun shine in.

If your house is particularly dark, think about investing in a sun lamp. Only 30 minutes a day of sitting near sun or a sun lamp can increase your mood dramatically. This is especially true for those who experience SAD.

Those who participate in winter sports have a more positive attitude towards winter than those who don’t.

Consider taking up snow-shoeing, down-hill, or cross country skiing. If winter sports isn't your thing, you can still appreciate the beauty of winter by going for walks. Staying active, preferably outdoors, is a great way to develop an appreciation for winter.

Since we tend to spend more time at home in the winter, it's a good time to take up a hobby. Learn to cook ethnic food, build a model airplane, write your memoirs, do a 1000 piece puzzle, anything that keeps you engaged and preoccupied.

Winter can be a time of self-care as we naturally slow our pace and spend more time at home. We read more, watch good movies, eat comforting foods, and get more sleep.

Life is a series of cycles, and winter is one of them. If you see winter as a time to reflect, slow down, heal, rejuvenate, and reinvest in yourself, and before you know it, spring is here.

You can learn to understand and appreciate the different sides of yourself that each season brings out, and appreciate the stillness that winter allows.

If you suffer from winter depression, you don't have to struggle through it. Reach out to your EFAP provider and learn strategies for managing SAD.

Jenny DeReis, MC Psych