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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2025 9 By Clare Mendez, Resident Right around Feb. 11st, my husband starts asking, "When is it going to warm up?" My answer is, "Not this month." Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal aective disorder (aka SAD), generally occurs during winter months when there is less sunlight and days are shorter. Signs of February Blues may include low motivation, a lower desire to socialize and diculty sleeping. So now that you know what the symptoms are, let's make an eort to turn things around. Here's what the experts say: 1. Take a walk outside. Fresh air and cool wind can stimulate your senses and raise your energy levels. Increased energy is just one of the many benets of getting out of the house. Studies show that individuals feel less stressed and lonely when spending time outdoors. (A note of caution here: If you choose to walk before the sun has time to warm up the air, dark or wet sidewalks may be icy.) If it's too cold or wet outside, head on over to the lodge where you can walk at the gym or play ping pong, billiards, or learn to line dance. 2. Socialize. Oh, it's so tempting to sit at home and watch television from morning until night, or to read a good book from cover to cover, but once the show or book is over, you may realize the day was wasted. Now that the holidays are behind us, socializing doesn't have to be over. Invite a friend or two over for tea, a game, or just a visit. Betty Reid taught me the value of visiting with a friend just to talk. When I visited her last, she made me feel so welcome, learning about each of our lives and what we enjoy doing, where we want to go, etc. 3. Pick up a creative new hobby. ere are plenty of arts and cras to choose from and it's also benecial for cognitive function. Learning a new skill can create neural connections in your brain while strengthening the old ones. Check out the calendar section of e View for activities and games you can attend. Every group welcomes new participants of any level. 4. Eat well. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help improve your mood. You can also try taking sh oil and vitamin D supplements. 5. Create a sleep schedule and stick to it. Before going to bed each night, write down a few things you want to accomplish the next day. Are there any errands to run, phone calls to make, appointments or goals? Having a reason to set your alarm and wake up is going to help you night aer night to get better sleep. e dark and dreary days may not wake you up so setting an alarm clock will help you get moving. Once you are up, go about your day and be sure to include something from this list. The February Blues

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