Many people struggle with lower moods, sadness, lack of motivation, or worse when winter time comes. The cold and gloomy days can be difficult to navigate when you are someone who feels much more energized and brightened by the sun. You might have heard about seasonal affective disorder, or are just someone who feels different during this time of year. Whether you have been diagnosed with an official disorder, or are generally struggling with your mental health, such as anxiety, depression, or more, seasonal changes can be difficult for many people. If you are an active person and enjoys the outdoors, winter time can limit some of those opportunities. It can be chillier to run or to hike, the beach is less enjoyable, the wind and snow can pierce through your jacket even if you try to get out of the house. That can be a common mindset if you are not someone eager for snow-based activities lie skiing or snowboarding. How can we cope and feel more ambivalent about this time of year? The holiday cheery and energy has subsided, gathering’s aren’t as common, some people can get lost with what to do.
Think about what you value, what you enjoy doing, and what fulfills you. If you are someone who enjoys being with friends and family and spending time outside, schedule some fun parties that may be themed, or bonding to fill your time. Pick a clearer and warmer day for that hike or buy someone extra supplies to make your time outside more enjoyable. Can you challenge yourself to read 3 books during this time/ Do you want to binge watch a movie series? Can you invest in a new hobby, or pick up an old one? If you like to play guitar, maybe learn 3 cover songs that are your favorite. If you enjoy crochet, make a temperature blanket for a month. Think about starting a book club with your friends, attending a trivia night at your local bar, or joining a gym for overall wellness.
This time of year can be filled with new years resolutions which can overwhelm someone. It can be a vicious cycle of disappointment where you feel flustered with yourself and drop your habit changes after a week or two. Sometimes we can reframe out thoughts into something less drastic and focus on small intentional changes with ourselves. If you want to “get in better shape” think about adding 15 minutes of walking to 3 days of your week first. If you want to connect with friends and family again, think about setting a monthly weekend dinner on the calendar. If you want to work on your mental health, think about seeing a therapist, focus on journaling, or practicing your coping skills slowly. If can be tough to think about lifestyle goals but if you reframe it into weekly goals, it can be easier to visualize and eventually follow through with. Your mood can be a factor into how you accomplish what you set out to do, and if that starts to interfere with more than what it used to, it can be helpful to talk to a professional. If you notice you take a small dip around this time of year, think about some of these tips to spice up your winter.
For further support navigating and coping with the winter blues, click here.