Mornings are now darker and the daytime is shorter. Winter is fast approaching, as is the cold weather, which means a shift in mood for some. This is known as the "winter blues", and according to Canadian Mental Health Association, research shows that 15 percent of the population in Ontario experiences it. Here are some tips on what to do now to help your mental health through the winter.

Exercise

Physical activity is known to boost your mood, reduce stress, and decrease depression. It’s one of the best ways to help yourself through the winter by combating winter blues. Plus, it’s also great for your overall health. So lace up your running shoes and go for a walk, a jog, or hit your local gym.

Eat well

Look at what you are currently eating. If there is a lot of sugar in your diet, start reducing now and incorporating healthier foods into your meals like fruit, vegetables and lean proteins. Try to include foods that are high in vitamin D, including fish oil, fortified milks, yogurt, and orange juice for an added boost. 

Go outside

During the winter, many people tend to spend less time outside than in the other three seasons. But getting natural sunlight will help with the winter blues. Try to spend as much time as you can outside in the daytime, or, at the very least, move a chair near a window to get maximum sunlight while indoors. Another alternative is a lightbox, which uses a 10,000 lux intensity light to mimic natural sunlight.

Watch funny movies

Laughing is known to relieve stress and stimulate your brain to counter symptoms of depression. Queue up all of your favourite comedies, make some popcorn and laugh away your winter blues.