Christmas is over, and so is New Year’s Eve. No more festive lights and decorations brightening the cold and dark days, no more parties, nor gift-wrapping. New Year’s resolutions loom scarily ahead, and you just can’t seem to find a way to kick those eerie blue feelings off. Sound familiar? Probably yes, because… it is absolutely normal!!
Why do we get the winter blues?
A lot of people experience low moods and tend to have bouts of sadness in January. This is partly due to the end of the holiday-prompted excitement, and partly to what doctors call SAD, i.e. seasonal affective disorder, which depends on hormone fluctuations, specifically serotonin levels, caused by reduced daylight.
Sunshine, hugs and serotonin
Serotonin is called the “feel-good neurotransmitter” because it increases happiness and overall well-being. In fact, our nerve cells naturally release this chemical when we are exposed to sunlight, and when we are caressed and hugged.
We’re all embrace-depraved
January’s short, dreary days don’t help our cells produce serotonin, that’s why many tend to feel dismal, cheerless and lacking in motivation. And there’s more: after almost two years of social distancing, we’re all craving hugs and cuddles like crazy.
A rosy outlook can smash the shadows
But every cloud has its silver lining, right? Indeed, it does! And when it comes to fighting the January gloom, I have 4 sensational tips on how to beat the winter blues to share with you.
How to beat the winter blues – 4 slick tips for a sparkling January
Remember that life is what you make of it, so… carry on, and try the following smart tips: I promise you’ll get the winter rocking n’ rolling soon enough!
- Get outdoors
- Run ‘em off
- Try something new: test and review websites and apps
- Eat properly
Tip n. 1: Get outdoors
Alongside sunshine and a loving touch, there are other factors able to trigger your serotonin production. Light, specifically daylight, is known to increase this chemical’s levels, so make sure you get enough of it. Spend some time out of doors, in contact with nature, every day. Observe how plants, trees and animals respond to wintertime and appreciate the clean, bracing air. Breathe.
Tip n. 2: Run ‘em off!
Another factor that has proven to positively impact our serotonin levels is physical exercise. Scientific data shows that our nerve cells spontaneously release serotonin after at least 32 minutes of aerobic exercise, i.e. all those activities we generally call “cardio”. Add tip n.1 to tip n.2, and you’ll be giving yourself an oxygen bonus: go for a power walk or run in the park, cycle around town, go skiing or ice skating. Run the winter blues off: you’ll feel better, and look better, in no time!
Tip n. 3: Learn something new and make some extra cash!
Nerve cell liveliness and daylight aside, we all need to enjoy some rewarding mental activities to keep going. The pandemic isn’t helping: many of us work from home, with few distractions (no, Netflix series do not count). Shows, exhibits, events, and concerts are off, so thought-provoking stimuli are reduced to a minimum. We all need something that keeps our brain active without overtaxing it, and offers some degree of recreation.
Fight the winter blues trying your hand at something new, fun and financially rewarding too: join the Intellizoom panel, prove your skills at reviewing and testing websites and apps!
About survey sites – why do they exist?
I’m sure you’ve all heard about survey sites, but Intellizoom definitely stands apart: it’s the new frontier in digital product testing. Hear me out. All businesses, from SMEs to corporations, require prospective clients’ opinions and feedback. Apps and websites have to be user-friendly to be lucrative, so companies run surveys among potential customers to understand what they want, what they like.
How to choose the best survey site
Today, there are thousands of survey sites enrolling non-professional testers, but what you’re looking for is a reliable company that offers great testing experiences, safe profits, and genial assignments that can outshine the January gloom. Right? Well, team up with the Intellizoom community and you won’t regret it!
What is IntelliZoom
IntelliZoom is the participant community of UserZoom, the leading UX insights company specialized in providing businesses with the software and understanding they need to craft great, easy-to-use digital products. Now, clients are what speak for a company, and Userzoom’s comprise major-league ones such as News UK, Google, Oracle, Aetna, and Santander.
Learn more about UserZoom
Why IntelliZoom sings a different tune
UserZoom’s expert crew provides its customers with a comprehensive platform that allows their developers and specialists to achieve the quantitative and qualitative insight they need to assess, improve and beautify their digital products. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Intellizoom is so perfectly rigged out, with its captivating colors and appealing design!
Curious? Check out the Intellizoom landing page and you’ll see what I mean!
Magnificently designed, easy to do
Stemming from an influential and proficient UX insight company, Intellizoom ensures flawless performances and uncomplicated testing each and every time. Plus, you get to impact the digital products you prefer and use! How does it work? Like clockwork! Just register, here, take a first trial survey, and you’re good to go. Every time a survey is released, you will get an email invitation: just click on the link you are sent and take the study.
Come spring… you’ll have some extra cash to count on!
What about payment? Safe, certain, reliable, and secure via PayPal. Why not start saving up for the spring weekends and holidays? Sign in, start taking the surveys now, while it’s cold and dark outside, and you’ll have extra cash when the sun comes out!!
Tip n. 4: Eat properly
Your nerve cells need a specific substance to produce serotonin, a vital amino acid called tryptophan. It is contained in certain foods, mostly turkey meat, lentils, chickpeas, fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, etc.), and dark chocolate. By eating these, you ensure your body has enough tryptophan to activate serotonin production. Keep in mind that enjoying regular healthy meals and avoiding sugary foods increases your energy levels, boosts your mood, and strengthens your immune system.
Beat the winter blues by exercising outdoors, occasionally treating yourself to dark chocolate, and taking diverting Intellizoom surveys!
