February can be a difficult month for many of us. Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of Americans each year and can bring feelings of depression, disinterest and exhaustion. 

Even for those who aren’t dealing with seasonal depression, it can still be a challenge to want to get out and be social when it’s so gloomy and grey outside. Many people also struggle with the idea of having nothing big to look forward to during the second month of the year. The fall brings in cozy sweaters, Halloween celebrations and hay rides, and December brings Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to people all over the world. However, the start of a new year, while celebratory at first, can quickly turn gloomy for those of us in the northern hemisphere, particularly in places where we get a lot of snow and darkness. Aside from Valentine’s Day, there isn’t much in the way of big events to look forward to until the spring. 

That’s why it’s so important to find ways to remain social and engaged during this challenging month. February can be just as enjoyable as other times of year, you just have to take charge a little more than you might during, say, the middle of summer. 

Older adults might be more inclined to stay indoors, as they might feel uncomfortable heading outside in the snow and ice, or they could be dealing with fewer invitations to social events. But, there’s no reason why they can’t have just as vibrant a social life as you. So, the following list are some suggestions you can make to help your parents remain social and engaged during February. 

Learn How to Use Public Transportation

Sometimes an older adult’s lack of socialization is due to something incredibly simple to remedy: lack of knowledge! It could be that your parents are eager to get out there and check out local events or spend time with friends, but they might not be able to, or comfortable behind the wheel of a car anymore. Driving in the winter or at night might also give them hesitation when considering outings during the winter. 

However, unless you live in a completely rural area, there’s no reason why your parents shouldn’t take advantage of local transit systems to help them get around. 

Most cities have convenient transit systems. Depending on where you live these systems could involve buses, trains, subways and trams – sometimes even ferries! To find out about fares and schedules, you can visit your local transportation network’s website, or, find out where a transit station is located to speak to someone in person and see if any physical schedules are available. 

Most cities offer heavily discounted transit passes to older adults, which not only makes choosing this option convenient, but affordable as well.  

If your parents are feeling nervous about taking transit for the first time then you might offer to go with them to show them how to swipe their transit pass or pay with a card or coins. You could also help them plot out a route to and from their nearest transit stops to make sure they are comfortable with how to navigate the area. Once they are familiar with the schedule it will make it a breeze to not only get to social appointments, but also any other important events in their calendars, such as visits to the doctor or dentist. 

Make Regular Video Call Dates

There will be times when going outside frequently is simply not an option. This might be due to something like particularly severe weather, illness, or mobility issues. However, this doesn’t mean that your parent’s social connection needs to diminish. For better or for worse we live in a time of excessive connection. We can contact someone all the way across the world in a matter of seconds, whether through text, call or video chat. 

Online chats are a great way for older adults to remain connected to others, especially with family or friends who live far away. This could be especially important if your parents have recently made a move, and are feeling homesick for their old neighborhood and friends.

If your parents are a little bit apprehensive about using technology, you can support them by sitting down to help them through the apps they need to use together. Many older adults might also feel more comfortable with written instruction, so taking the time to print out a step by step guide on how to use a program, even if it might feel simple to you, could help give your parents the confidence they need to use technology more often. 

While in-person socialization is certainly important, talking to others on the phone or on video can be a great way to keep older adults engaged. Knowing that you have a regular video chat with a loved one gives you something to look forward to throughout the week, and that can help give a much needed mental health boost during the cold months of winter.

Join a Club

There are clubs out there to satisfy all interests, you just have to look for them! Clubs are a fun and low pressure way to up social interactions and build new connections. Many clubs operate on a drop in basis, so they can become a regular part of someone’s routine, without the stress of having to worry about missing a few weeks if you’re ill or heading out on vacation. 

You can find clubs advertised at your local recreation center, library or center for older adults. Some might be specifically geared towards older generations, while others are open to all ages. You can find clubs that build on new skills, such as knitting, writing or language clubs. You can also find ones that bring people together from similar cultural or religious backgrounds. Or you might be on the lookout for a club that builds upon a specific interest such as a birding or reading club.

If there is something your parents are interested in then chances are high you can find a club for it. If you don’t see something advertised at a recreation center or another similar facility you can reach out to a place that is based around a specific interest. For example try calling nature centers for animal related clubs, or a bookstore for a writing or book club. If you truly can’t find anything then why not start the club yourself? Chances are if one person is interested in the topic then there will be others out there who are interested in it too! 

Get Moving

Exercise helps our bodies in a variety of ways. As Healthline tells us, it makes us happier, boosts our brain health and can help us stay at a healthy weight. It also gives us energy, which can make us more inclined to want to engage with others and the outside world. Plus, depending on what kind of exercise you choose it can also be an extremely social activity! Many fitness classes see the same people show up to class time and time again, which can help build up one’s social network. 

You can even take the advice listed above and search out a fitness related club! Popular sports include tennis, pickleball and ping pong. But, the most important thing when seeking out a new kind of exercise is to find what feels good to you. Someone is unlikely to want to keep coming to a class they hate, so if it doesn’t feel good leave it and try something new! 

Gone are the days of simply pumping iron at the gym or only doing latex-clad aerobics. Now you go to step class, spin, pilates, yoga, aqua fit, dance and so many more exciting options. Visit a recreation center, local gym or try out introductory classes at different fitness studios to find the right fit. 

Take a Class

If your parents are people who prefer to have a lot of structure in their lives, or just really love learning, then a formal class might be the best way for them to stay engaged this February. Depending on what they’re interested in you might want to look at what’s on offer at a local college. Or, maybe they’re into doing something more artistic, in which case seeking out a pottery or painting school might be the right fit. Retirement is a great time to explore activities that you never had the time to do before but always wanted. So, ask your parents questions about any hobbies or passions they’ve never gotten a chance to explore. Maybe one of them wants to try an acting or improv class! Maybe the other has always wanted to learn how to make guitars! There are countless options out there for every kind of interest. Who knows, maybe a few years down the line you’ll end up seeing your parent up there on the big screen!

Not only are hobbies a great way to stay socially engaged, the National Institute on Aging tells us that they can help you manage stress, make overall healthier choices, and even potentially help keep some health conditions at bay. Pretty desirable results from simply doing something you enjoy!

Volunteer

A lot of older adults retreat from social engagements because they feel isolated from the rest of society. After a long career, many people struggle with a lack of purpose, and, while engaging with others would be helpful, some people turn away instead because they feel lost and perhaps a bit abandoned by society. However, everyone has youth and purpose, regardless of their age, and volunteering can be a great way for older adults to feel that sense of purpose once again. 

Similarly to clubs, there is no shortage of options when it comes to the types of places you can volunteer at. If there’s a place you’re interested in volunteering for simply give them a call – there’s a very good chance there are volunteer opportunities available! Many organizations wouldn’t be able to function without the vital support of volunteers, so there are often lots of positions available, and many of them come with nice perks! Of course, depending on the position there might be some competition, but if you are willing to work for free then there is a very high likelihood that you can find a place that will suit you. Some ideas of places to volunteer are:

• Film, music or art festivals
• Animal shelters
• Marathons and other races
• Food banks
• Hospitals

Gratitude Journal

While it might seem counterintuitive to choose to write in a journal by yourself as a way to engage more, there is some validity to it! Gratitude journaling is the practice of putting some time aside each day to write out what you’re grateful for. Sometimes this is done by putting on a timer, or by prompting yourself to think of at least three things you’re grateful for and write about them as specifically as possible. 

As Vogue says, gratitude journaling can help you focus on the present and improve mental health. Plus, it forces you to look at all the people and moments in your life, instead of focusing on the negative. Often, we might become so consumed by what is going wrong in our lives that we ignore all the good, which can make it easy for us to become withdrawn and isolated. By taking time to write down what we love, it can make us excited about the next day, and all the good moments we are sure to experience during it. Eventually that might even make someone be so excited about new experiences that they intentionally seek them out, simply because they know it will bring them joy. Of course, don’t expect to have your parents do a few days of gratitude journaling and suddenly be outgoing like never before, but every little bit counts, right?

Have a Goal

Finally, a fun way to beat the winter blues is by setting some goals for you to work towards. Sure, these can be serious personal goals like getting a short story accepted to a publication or lifting a heavier set of weights at the gym. But they can also be silly goals, like finding the best chocolate chip cookie in town, or making a list of everything you want to do before winter ends, like going skating, making a snowman and getting hot chocolate. Regardless of the seriousness of it, goals still provide purpose and enjoyment for the person or people who are doing them, so get brainstorming with your parents to find out what goals they want to set this February. Maybe they can even rope some of their neighbors in on their goals to make a neighborhood event! 

It can be hard to get back into the groove of being social, especially if you have been detached for a while, so be patient with your parents. While getting out there can feel good, it can also feel scary, so a little patience and kindness can go a long way. Hopefully this list helps you and your parents pass through the winter with a little bit more fun than last year. Pretty soon you’ll see blossoms back on the trees and then everything will start to feel just a little bit better.

We’re only a third of the way through the winter, and we’re heading into February, which is notoriously one of the most difficult months of the year for those of us who live in chilly places. The days are short, it’s often grey and overcast, and sometimes it’s so cold that it’s not even possible to leave the house. 

This can cause depression for even the cheeriest of people, but for an older adult who may already be dealing with limited mobility or struggling with an illness, it can sometimes feel downright unbearable. 

This can present a challenge for caregivers, who not only have to manage the emotions of the loved one they’re caring for, but also have to somehow process their own feelings about the season. 

It’s a difficult task, but not an impossible one! And the pay off is absolutely worth it. After all, everyone deserves to feel good, and if the loved one you care for is happy, then there’s a very good chance you are going to feel happy as well. Want to know how? Read on!

1. Make Time to Listen

You might be surprised at just how impactful the act of listening can be to someone who is feeling down or isolated. 

Older adults often struggle with feelings of loneliness and lack of purpose, and, even if you spend a lot of time together, you might just be going through the motions, instead of actually sitting down to spend some dedicated one on one time with your loved one. 

Older adults have so many wonderful stories to share, and what better time than now to hear some of them? Put aside a little of your time each day to brew a cup of tea, sit down with your loved one and just let them talk. Ask them questions and really listen to their answers. Ask them to tell you a story, or to talk about something that brought them joy recently. And be careful not to dismiss them if they start to talk about feelings of loneliness, anxiety or sadness. Yes, it might feel uncomfortable at first, and a natural instinct might be to try to cheer them up, but often people can feel better simply by expressing their feelings out loud. And sometimes, after doing that the feeling doesn’t feel as big anymore, and they might be able to move past it on to other things. So, instead of jumping to another topic or rushing to cheer them up, try to validate their feelings and let them work through what they’re feeling without putting any kind of judgement on it or trying to figure out a solution. Sometimes the solution is simply being there for another person.

Healthline tells us that even small moments of connection each day can give a real boost to our mental health, so make a small effort, and potentially see huge results!

2. Encourage Your Loved One to Seek Help

Of course, there are going to be some circumstances that call for more help than you can offer, and that is when it would benefit you and your loved one to recommend that they seek the help of a professional mental health therapist or counselor. While of course you might want to help your loved one through their mental health struggles, it could be harmful to both them and to yourself if you try to guide them through trauma or other mental health issues that you don’t have the appropriate training to handle.

Instead, encourage them to reach out to Total Life, where they can find therapists who have specific training in a range of mental health conditions such as grief, life transitions and cognitive decline. Sessions are offered over the phone and may be completely covered by medicare. 

There are also many community options that can provide support to older adults, such as group therapy sessions or simply events where people can get together to chat about shared experiences such as groups for veterans or for people who have lost their spouse. 

If your parent is reluctant to talk to someone you might share your own experiences with how you or others you know have benefited from therapy. There is no shame in seeking help, and in fact, those who do are very brave. 

3. Change Things Up

While most older adults thrive on routine, it’s also important to have things to look forward to. Anticipation can be incredibly valuable, especially when the weather is bleak and the days are beginning to feel a bit monotonous.

You don’t need to plan anything big or expensive, but planning a small outing or a fun activity can help brighten the mood of your loved one and give them something to look forward to, which can be very beneficial for mental health. 

For indoor activities, you might consider something like setting up a movie night where you pop popcorn and set up a pretend movie theatre. You could even have a little door prize and set up a concession stand. 

Sometime else might be arranging an arts and craft table for your loved one to spend time at every day. You might work on creating a collage or painting some winter scenes. You could even get friends and family involved and at the end have a gallery presentation in the living room. 

The National Environment Education Program also talks about the many benefits that going outside has on one’s mental health, especially in regards to seasonal depression. Getting 5-10 minutes of sunlight every day can be important for balancing your mood and also making sure your body is following its proper circadian rhythm. If your loved one is mobile enough that might look like taking a short walk around the neighborhood, but if not you could set up chairs outside so that both of you could take in the sunrise or sunset. Just be sure to wrap them in lots of blankets and maybe provide them with a warm beverage as well!

If you are following the advice above and spending more time talking with them then that is a great opportunity to find out more about their interests, which you can use to help plan more enjoyable activities for them to look forward to and participate in. 

4. Take Care of Yourself

It’s hard to care for someone else when you are not feeling your best. That’s why it’s so important for you to prioritize your own health as much as you are prioritizing the health of the loved one you care for. 

At this point, we probably all know the things we should be doing to best care for our physical and mental health, but it’s never a bad thing to get a reminder. Plus, even if we know something is good for us, it doesn’t mean we’ll do it, so maybe let this be your nudge to take a look at your habits and make a change for the better in 2025. 

• Diet. The food we eat impacts almost every element of our lives. The University of Alabama tells us that while we know that poor food choices, such as those high in fat in sugar, can lead to weight gain and heart disease, many people still aren’t aware of how much food can affect our moods and mental health. While it can be very tempting to reach for that bag of chips or that delicious looking donut, doing so might be the reason you’ve been feeling grumpy or having so much brain fog these days. Of course, you don’t want to deprive yourself of all treats, but in general we should aim for eating a diet rich in protein, fiber, good fats, such as the ones found in fish and nuts, whole grains and lots of fruit and vegetables. Yes, you can still have that burger or cupcake, but try to limit indulgences to only two or three times a week.
• Exercise. Modern advice is that we should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day, with that exercise being a combination of cardio and strength training. And remember that is the minimum recommendation. Any excuse to move your body is a good one, whether that’s getting up to do a few stretches every hour, or parking a few blocks away from work so that you get a few extra steps in. 
• Sleep. Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but the stats for Americans are not good. Over 50 million Americains struggle with sleep disorders, which can have major impacts on your overall health. If you are having consistent trouble falling asleep or getting good quality sleep, then you should visit your doctor. And in general, try to sleep in a cool, dark environment and do your best to stay off screen for at least an hour before bed. 

5. Make Mental and Physical Wellness a Group Activity 

While you’re focusing on your own health, why not turn it into a team sport? Sharing your own goals for your wellness can be a great way to help emotionally support your loved one, as it can help give them the push they need to focus on their own health. Of course, your exercise or diet goals might look quite a bit different from what an older adult needs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dedicate time to the cause together. 

You might set aside time for both of you to get some exercise in, or commit to making healthier meals for both of you. Of course, always check in with your loved one and their medical professionals before making any major changes to their diet or lifestyle. 

You and your loved one can be accountability buddies for each other, with suggestions laid out by Forbes. This not only keeps both of you on track, but can also provide a sense of purpose for your loved one, which can be helpful for their mental health as well. 

Of course, how much you intertwin your goals will depend on the health of your loved one, but even if you do it on a small scale it can be a great way to boost each others’ moods and build camaraderie. 

6. Dig Deeper

Everyone has their own unique experiences and background, and there may be certain differences that could become increasingly challenging as your loved one ages. Even if they are your biological parent, there could still be many different hurdles and experiences that they faced in their lives due to their ethnicity, religion, sexuality or other factors that you might not have had to deal with in the same way due to your age or where you were brought up. 

While some of these issues you may already be aware of and sensitive to, you should never assume that you know everything about your parents’ experiences. Quite often, children don’t know nearly as much about their parents as they think. So get curious. Many older adults haven’t had the opportunity to process some of the challenges they faced, and, as they get older, some of those things might bubble to the surface in unexpected ways. Is it possible for you as a caregiver to educate yourself further on these topics so that you can connect with your loved one in a more meaningful way? 

Most people just want to be seen and understood, and so you can imagine how powerful it might be for you to do the research to show them how much you care about what they’ve had to go through in their lives. Sometimes this work can be painful, but quite often it is beautiful and enriching, and can help you understand your loved one on a deeper level. 

7. Build That Circle

Everyone tends to function a little better when they are surrounded by the people they love, but for many older adults, they might not have quite the social circle that they used to. Some of their loved ones might have passed, and it’s also very common for older adults to move to be closer to family, which can be good in one way, but can also take them out of a familiar environment and way from friends that they were used to seeing frequently. 

So, as a caregiver a great emotional support strategy can be to help your loved one connect with members of their community. This might be by helping to facilitate daily phone or video calls with family members or friends who are not able to visit in person. Or, you might connect your loved one with a community center that has specific programming for older adults. Humans need connection to survive, so help your loved one feel their best by making sure they are getting as many chances as possible to connect with others. 

Everyone is going to have difficult moments during the winter, but with the above tips hopefully they will be few and far between. Just remember to have patience, kindness and love, and fun, and before you know it you’ll be seeing the first blossoms of spring. 

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, affects around 5% of US citizens every year. And, while 5% might not seem like a look when you are just looking at the percentage, when you put that into numbers that’s more than 17 million people! Of course, depression of any kind is a serious matter, but for older adults who might already be facing mental health issues and feelings of isolation, it can hit even harder. So, that’s why it’s so important for you to be able to understand and recognize the signs of seasonal depression in your parents so that you can get them the help they need. But, before we get to how you can address the symptoms of this condition, let’s make sure you fully understand which signs to look out for. 

Although some people get seasonal depression in the summer, it’s much more common in the fall and winter. While there’s no firm cause behind this, there are some solid theories. John Hopkins tells us that it is thought that the shorter days and decrease in sunlight may create a chemical change in our brains that could impact our mental state. It’s also been proposed that an increase in melatonin production, due to the increased darkness, could also be a contributing factor. 

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, the simple truth is that millions of people are struggling with this condition in the US every year, so, here are the signs to look out for. 

• Lack of interest in daily routine or activities they once enjoyed. While everyone has an “off” day from time to time, you’ll want to look out for signs that your parent seems be disinterested in life in general, even in activities that they typically look forward to. 
• Trouble concentrating. Your parent might be easily distracted and unable to stay on task or keep a conversation going. 
• Anxiety. Your parent might be fixating on their worries or seem particularly skittish. 
• Irritability. You might find that your parent is lashing out and having mood swings, or just seems much more grouchy than usual. 
• Sleepiness. If you notice that your parent always seems to be exhausted, even if they’re gotten enough sleep, then that might be a sign that they’re experiencing seasonal depression. Another symptom might be sleeping a lot more than normal. 
• Weight gain. This might go hand in hand with an increased desire for lots of heavy meals and sugary products. 

Of course, there might be other symptoms of seasonal depression that have not been listed here, but these are some of the most common symptoms that people experience. 

Now that you are aware of some of the symptoms that might be present with this condition, let’s get into how you can address this issue with your parents. 

First of all, it’s important to recognize that these kinds of symptoms can be the result of many different mental health conditions, or due to some changes in environment or lifestyle, that’s why the most important thing to do first is…

Ask Questions

It’s easy to assume you know what’s wrong with someone, especially if that person is close to you. However, you can’t truly know the truth unless you ask, so get curious about your parent and what has been going on lately. You don’t need to make this a serious intervention (unless you feel like the issue has gotten to that point), instead this can simply be a casual conversation over coffee. You might start by saying something like “I noticed that you seem to be extra tired lately, has anything been going on?” Of course, certain topics might be more sensitive than others, so maybe veer away from commenting on your parent’s weight or telling them that they’ve seemed grumpy, as that might result in them becoming defensive. Instead, make sure you’re coming from a place of genuine kindness and concern, and really listen to their answers. There might be a totally logical reason for their symptoms, like they’re tired from reading a really good book, or they’re grumpy because they had a cold or received some disappointing news recently. 

If there seems to be a reasonable explanation for their symptoms then simply keep an eye on it to see if they resolve, and if not then you might suggest that they consider visiting a doctor to see if they might be struggling with seasonal depression.

Encourage a Doctor’s Visit

While there are many treatments available to help with seasonal depression, most of them are only available, or best prescribed with the help of a medical professional. Every person who experiences seasonal depression is unique, so what might make a good treatment for one person is not necessarily going to be the best fit for someone else. Plus, it’s always a good idea to visit a doctor to make sure the symptoms your parent is experiencing really is seasonal depression, and not something else. And, the earlier your parent gets help the better, as the condition can worsen if left untreated. 

Once you have determined that your parent is indeed suffering from seasonal depression, and that there’s nothing else at play, you can look at how best to manage the condition. As mentioned above, a doctor is the best place to turn to first, as they will likely recommend some combination of the following strategies. However, some of the following treatments can be done without a doctor’s assistance, and are generally good health practices to follow no matter if you’re dealing with seasonal depression or not!

Light Therapy

Light therapy is basically the gold standard when it comes to wintertime seasonal depression. This means getting the most amount of sun possible, which can be tricky during the winter when the days are a lot shorter. 

In order to achieve this, try to get outside as early as possible, preferably before 11 am, and attempt to spend at least 30 minutes outside (although longer is totally fine) each day. Many people in the United States have a deficiency of vitamin D, which is a vitamin we get when our skin is exposed to the sun. This can affect our mood, our sleep and our body’s natural rhythm. Exposure to the sun also seems to reduce stress levels, boost the immune system and lower the risk of bone fractures! Not too bad for that big, old star!

This writer with Health experimented with having 15 minutes of dedicated sun time each day for a month and ended the experiment with an improved feeling of happiness. 

Of course, don’t forget to use sunscreen when enjoying the sun’s rays. 

Another way you can get the benefit of light therapy is through the use of a sun lamp or light box. These are light devices that are specifically designed to provide a light that will mimic the experience of sunlight so that you get the same benefits of the sun, but you can time your exposure to fit with your schedule. Light boxes can be very helpful to use in combination with sun exposure, in an area where there is very few hours of daylight, or in a place that might be too cold for you to be able to spend much time inside. While these can be very useful tools, it’s always advisable to consult with a doctor before use to find the right one for your needs, as well as when and how long to use it. The Mayo Clinic provides some good advice for what to consider when buying a light box. 

Eat Well

Remember how one of the signs of seasonal depression might be noticing your parent suddenly has quite the appetite for carbs and sweets? That’s quite a common symptom of depression, seasonal or otherwise. When we’re not feeling our best, it’s very easy to want to reach for the unhealthiest option, even if we know it’s going to make us feel worse. 

This becomes even more difficult when our sleep has been impacted, because when we’re feeling lethargic and low-energy we look to sugar as a comfort and an immediate boost of energy, even if we know it will come with a total crash a few hours later. 

While it can certainly be difficult to maintain a healthy diet while dealing with seasonal depression, it can be one of the most important tools at your disposal. You can help your parent by offering to meal plan or even prepare some of their meals for them. You can also run them through helpful ingredients for them to consider, such as the foods on this list by Everyday Health. Your parent might not make an overnight switch to a completely healthy diet, but even if they add in some extra vegetables and legumes it could make a huge difference to their mental state. 

Some handy tricks for adding in healthier foods is to prep a large batch of veggies at the beginning of the week so they can easily be tossed into different meals. Soups and stews are also very handy as you can pack in a lot of fiber and protein and you can freeze them in batches to be taken out when needed. 

CNET also talks about the important role that hydration plays supporting our mental health, so don’t leave that out of the conversation when talking about seasonal depression with your parent. Proper hydration can help with focus and keeping anxiety levels in check, plus it’s extra important to drink enough during the winter to help the body stay warm. Encourage your parent to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, and maybe suggest they carry a water bottle with them throughout the day so they can keep track of how much they drink.

Get Social

One of the best cures to a blue mood is to surround yourself with people that make you smile. In fact, there’s actually some science behind how even just the simple act of smiling can turn around your mood. However, one of the best ways to smile naturally is by spending time with family and friends, so encourage your parent to get out there!

Being social is going to mean something different to everyone. Your parent might prefer to have a lowkey coffee date with a friend, or to simply surround themselves with others while taking in a movie or going to an aquafit class. Or, they might prefer a conversation group or going out to a busy mall to walk ad shop. Whatever they prefer, try to get them out to do it. Many people with seasonal depression tend to withdraw from others, which can make them increasingly isolated, which tends to make feelings of depression even worse, so try to guide your parent away from that path. You might even suggest a weekly outing with yourself. Maybe you invite them over for dinner or a board game night, or out to one of their favorite local spots. Humans thrive when they have purpose and are part of a community, so help your parent find that. 

Something else to consider is encouraging your parent to talk to a therapist, as they might be able to help your parent work through some of their concerns and even give them specific homework on how to manage their feelings. 

Movement

Another great way to keep seasonal depression at bay is by participating in consistent exercise. Just as those who are tired and sad are more likely to reach for sweets, it’s also very common for those same people to want to lie on the couch all day, or maybe not even get out of bed at all. 

Now, starting up an exercise routine when you don’t feel motivated is no easy task, so this article from Vice offers some great tips. These include setting realistic goals, and only participating in the kind of exercise you like. So, don’t try to impose your idea of what your parent should do on to them. If they love walking or dancing to hits from the 60s then that is the best kind of exercise for them to do right now. Any exercise is better than none at all!

Medication and Supplements

Finally, your doctor may suggest you take some kind of meditation or vitamin supplements to help alleviate some of your depression symptoms. Of course this is only something you should participate in under the advice of a doctor, so don’t run to the vitamin shop and grab a bunch of magnesium just because you heard someone else tell you that it worked wonders for them. 

When visiting the doctor let your parent know that they should be as open as possible about what they’ve been experiencing. It can sometimes feel embarrassing to be so honest, but it will be hard for the doctor to give them appropriate guidance if they don’t have the full story of how they’re feeling. Being transparent will help them get the help that they need. 

Seasonal depression is a challenging condition to deal with, but if you pay attention to your parent’s symptoms and get them the help they need there is no reason that they shouldn’t be able to get back to their normal self and start to thrive again.