Photo by Kat von Wood on Unsplash
Winter is still upon us. Outside, the wind is chill, but certainly not as pleasant as a summer night's breeze. This is truly not my favourite time of the year. But, it's also the cosiest season, where all you can think about is bundling up, drinking hot tea and soups to prevent colds, staying in and snuggling with a loved one, or, hibernating until you're ready to deal with 'outside problems' again. I don't think I could ever like winter. I sometimes see winter as a pain or discomfort that I have to get through or overcome. Still, I'm grateful for it, just as I am for all the other seasons because it indicates a passage of time, a purging and withering of old things, which then prepares us for the coming of spring and all the newness it brings.
I'm the kind of gal that's just always cold, sometimes even went I don't need to be. I need to feel warm all the time, physically and emotionally. Warmth, in every form, is something I crave so deeply during the wintertime. My general mood can also be affected by a lack of it. And if you're like me, right now you're also probably struggling with SAD, a term our friends in the psychology sphere describe as Seasonal Affective Disorder. As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "SAD is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4−5 months out of the year. The signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with depression as well as disorder-specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern versus summer-pattern SAD." Symptoms of depression may include: Feeling hopeless or pessimistic, wanting to stay in more, cancelling plans or withdrawing from engagement with others, loss of interest in hobbies, weight loss or changes in appetite and sleep patterns, hypersensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, lack of energy or fatigue, crying or feeling a sudden overwhelm of emotions, and so much more.
Seasonal Depression, as it is popularly called, takes its shape in many forms, and if not tended to, this mood irregularity can be detrimental to both our physical and emotional health. We must always do our best to prioritize our well-being, especially on our most challenging days. Your mental health matters, always, and here are a few gentle ways you can fight your winter blues, so you don't sucked into the SAD hole.
Embrace Slow Living
Taking it slow is perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself during the winter season. When it's snowing or freezing outside, the weather certainly makes you want to super-speed to wherever you're going. Be it at home or your office, when you arrive, it helps to set aside a few minutes to gather and collect yourself before you hurry on to whatever task you have next on your schedule. Taking a moment to breathe, and even throwing in a few words of affirmation will help boost your mood and lift your spirits for the day. As a great artist once said, "Slow, is the fastest way to get to where you're going." When you think about it, regardless of whatever deadlines you might have or time constraints that you may be limited by, keep in mind that no one is chasing you. So, where are you in a rush to? Going slow definitely helps you manage your time better. By giving yourself the grace and space to breathe and move at your own pace, you are then able to complete tasks at the allocated time that you've set aside. Doing this prevents feelings of anxiety, stress, and emotional exhaustion. You can do things slowly and steadily and still produce efficient results with your goals. Rest is also an important part of this. We all need to rest every once in a while, and this can look like, setting a time for when all work-related matters are put aside (depending on what you do for a living), napping when you're tired, and not when you're burnt out, having a curfew, setting your phone on DND (do not disturb) to avoid calls or distractions, taking a break from social media or electronic devices, etc. In conclusion, slow is the healthiest way to go.
Eat Balanced Meals
Food is always an energy booster, no matter what you're going through. It is extremely vital to prioritize eating proper meals as this will guarantee better physical health, and emotional health in many ways. I love cooking, and I like being able to go into the kitchen and cook myself a nice, warm meal. I truly see it as a privilege, and I do my best to be appreciative of the fact that I have food at home. During a cold and gloomy season like winter, I enjoy making broths for soups, and drinking lots of tea (I love anything with ginger). My all-time favourite dish to make is chicken pot pie. Words cannot explain how much I love chicken pot pie. It's my go-to comfort meal that never fails to warm me up on cold and sad days. Food certainly does affect our mood (see what I did there). When we're feeling down or just having a crappy day, our appetite is usually at risk of being affected as well. We might go long hours without food either because we simply forget to eat, or, we're just too depressed and lack the energy to cook anything. And surely, on those days, ordering in is truly the next best thing. However, as tempting as it is to just get on our phones and easily place an order for a large meat lover's pizza, 10 barbeque chicken wings, and a 2-liter "diet" Coca-Cola (my, I'm getting hungry); nothing beats taking out the time to make a fresh and healthy home-cooked meal for ourselves. Something about that just feels more rewarding, because it shows how much we still value ourselves even on our worst days.
Do Some Reading
Now, I'll be honest with you...I'm not a big reader. But, ironically, I love learning and discovering new things. Still, reading isn't something I've always enjoyed. I guess what I mean is, I'm not the best at reading novels. I've tried so many times, and there are only a few books that I've managed to get to the end of. Even with those, I feel like I forced myself to finish them just so I could prove to myself that I'm not bad at reading, and not because I sincerely enjoyed the content of those books. I will tell you what I do enjoy reading -- poetry books, scholarly articles, research essays, blogs, short stories, and I suppose any kind of short-form writing. It might seem lazy, but, I think I simply enjoy reading anything that gauges my interest. That is why during winter when I'm in hibernation mode, I like to read poetry, self-development articles, and some psychology articles on a variety of mental health topics. I do it all mainly to cater to my personal needs. I suppose you could call this Soft Reading or Soft Consumption (a term I think I just coined) -- The art of engaging in gentle activities and consuming light-hearted topics or stories that serve as inspiration and rejuvenation for one's soul and mind. There is so much bad news out there in the world, and not all of them are relevant or healthy for our consumption. We must know when to shut out the world sometimes and focus on nurturing an atmosphere of peace and joy in our homes. Besides reading -- listening to music, dancing, writing, baking, and even indulging ourselves in fairy-tale animations every once in a while, can also be a source of inspiration. Remember to only do things that feel good for your soul. What you consume daily matters, and that goes for everything.
Connect with Your Tribe
This cold and lonesome season is usually when we can spend quality time with those closest and dearest to us. I enjoy being in the company of my friends and catching up on all that's going on in our lives. Friendships are a blessing. Surely, they aren't always easy to maintain, but the right friends make it feel easy. There are a few winter activities you can enjoy with your friends that will help make the cold air outside feel more warm and tender. E.g. Going to the movies (I recently went to see Wonka last month with my friends, and it was an incredible time), Indoor game night (certainly more cosy and doesn't require leaving the house), Indoor movie night, Intimate dinner parties (Sharing food with those you love is a great time indeed), Making vision boards together, Reading together, etc. Whatever it is that you do, making an effort to schedule quality time for those you care about does help take away the gloom of the winter season. Being in the good company of those we love and cherish helps remind us that we are not alone, no matter what we're going through. There are people in our lives who will always be there to lift us and cheer us on whenever we feel downcast or defeated. And this is a reminder to you as well, dear reader -- YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU DESERVE TO BE HERE.
Take It Easy, Love.
Most times, it's very easy for us to forget how far we've come despite all that we've been through. Taking a moment to pause, look back, and reflect on our journey as continuously evolving individuals is so necessary. The fact that you are still here, healthy and alive is an absolute miracle that shouldn't be glanced over. Your existence is a miracle. And I don't know about everyone else, but, I'm so glad you're still here. You've survived so much that perhaps even those closest to you don't know about. Despite all that, you still find the strength and courage to get out of bed every day and keep pushing. And I promise you, life always rewards the kind and the brave. So don't give up, no matter what. Keep going. Depression won't last forever. "Weeping may come at night. But, joy will always come in the morning." There is a season and reason for everything, so, make this season count. Your best is yet to come. Good luck!
Thank you for making it this far. Thank you for being here. I'll see you in the next story, friend.
Warmly, Grace.
Here are a few winter wellness products on my wish list right now:
Disclaimer: Some products contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you purchase anything through those links, at no extra cost to you. The products recommended are from brands I love and look forward to trying out. Thank you for reading!
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