Finding the Light in the Winter Darkness
Although the changing of the seasons from the bright sunny days to the chilly early evenings in the autumn can make some people rejoice in the arrival of pumpkin spice lattes and the imminent holiday season, for others, it means months of dreading the early onset darkness that the winter brings.
Especially if you’re already prone to depression, the winter months can be mentally exhausting. You might even develop SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and really struggle with making it through the short days. While there is no cure for the winter blues or SAD (see your GP for more on that), there are some steps you can take to try and make the winter as bright as possible.
Helpful Tips
Validate
The first thing you can do when the winter blues hits is recognise what you are feeling. A mixture of biological, psychological and behavioural factors in addition to cues in our environment can contribute to changes in mood and behaviour during the winter (UChicago). Recognise that this is a real thing that needs attention. Daylight helps regulate our mood and our sleep cycles, so it’s no wonder so many of us get thrown off when the days get shorter. Validate your feelings, or commiserate with others if it helps!
Rethink Expectations
Going into the winter already thinking negatively might make your mood even worse. Expectations can impact your behaviour, so try and re-frame the winter experience in a more positive way, or try not to dwell on the negatives so that your mood doesn’t get low as quickly.
Go Outside
The most obvious thing is to get outside during the day. Even if the sun isn’t shining, being outside in the fresh air can boost your mood and energy levels. Surround yourself with light and life as much as you can each day.
Find Fun Activities
In addition to taking time to go outside each day, a daily walk in the sun (or clouds) will help boost your endorphins even more. If you don’t fancy any outside activities, perhaps try joining a book club that meets on cosy winter nights, or test out a new hobby that you’ve been meaning to try. Not only will it keep your brain busy and pass the time, but it can help you remain positive and have something to look forward to.
Keep in Touch
Social connectedness can be a protective factor for the winter blues because as people spend more time staying in, it can mean less time socializing with others (UChicago). Make sure to communicate with those closest to you when you’re feeling low. Know who your support system is and make time to check-in.
The only way out of the winter is to get through it, and at Red Balloon, we are here to support you with anything you might be struggling with.
