Winter can be a tough time for people of all ages. For seniors who may be dealing with mobility limitations, the snowy, icy sidewalks can make it tough to get outside. Even those who are able to get around just fine spend more time indoors to avoid the cold temperatures. The sun goes down early and it’s easy to feel isolated or down for what seems like no reason.

But there are ways to beat depression, whether it’s brought on by the season or an issue that affects you at any time of the year. 

#1 Eating Well

A nutritious diet is can improve your mood. Eating healthy fats, nuts, lots of vegetables, and healthy proteins like fish, while cutting down on grains, dairy, and sugar can help reduce anxiety and depression.

You don’t have to give up all sweets, either. Chocolate is known to reduce anxiety and improve your mood. If you needed an excuse to curl up by a fire with a cup of cocoa on a cold winter night, this is it.

#2 Exercising

Exercise is another great tool for combating depression. Activities like walking even for 35 minutes a day can improve symptoms of depression.

If you’re looking for active senior communities, ask about exercise classes and programs available in the community. It should be easy for seniors to stay active all year round, indoors and out. When winter makes an outdoor walk unpleasant, our seniors residences do organized hall walks to keep moving, as well as classes for tai chi, yoga, pool aerobics, dance, and more.

#3 Indoor Gardening

The benefits of gardening are numerous, and it’s a well-known way for improving your mood. Looking after the growth and maintenance of plants is relaxing, a good way to stretch and stay mobile, and it can reduce stress and dementia risks. But what can you do when your garden is under three feet of snow?

There are plenty of vegetables you can grow indoors in the winter, and your indoor garden can produce plenty of fresh produce. When you’re choosing which vegetables to grow, keep in mind that plants harvested for their leaves tend to be easier to grow indoors than those that produce a fruit. Some plants to consider include:

• Microgreens and sprouts
• Herbs
• Cherry tomatoes

These are in addition to the many houseplants that you can grow indoors all year round.

#4 Exercise Your Memory

Keeping your memory sharp is another key part of fighting depression. As we get older, we need to exercise our brains to keep them in shape. At All Seniors Care Living Centres, residents take part in our Neurobics Challenge, completing a puzzle every day. You can also check out these 5 ways to sharpen your memory and stay mentally fit.

Better Health in Active Senior Communities

We take mental health seriously at All Seniors Care Living Centres. Check out our seniors homes in Ottawa including the Chapel Hill retirement residences if you’re looking for seniors housing that can help you beat back depression. An active lifestyle is one of the most important factors in overcoming depression.