3 Helpful Tips for Beating the Winter Blues
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- Updated Jan 09, 2024
“Before we begin, let me ask, where are you originally from?” the therapist inquired as he peered over the top of his glasses. It was my first [real] winter; I’d moved from South Carolina to Montreal, Quebec, just a few months prior. I still chuckle when I recall asking my manager if I could take a quick break to step aside and see the snow–I was worried I might miss the chance to frolic in the furries. The joke was on me.
Fast forward to mid-February, snow lay on the ground, piled up around the city, with a steady stream falling daily. Coupled with long dark days, this sunny South Carolina gal struggled with the winter blues. Unable to shake the deep depression that worsened as the snowy, cold season dragged on, I thought it would be good to start counseling.
I’d only been in the therapist's office for a few minutes before He diagnosed me with “seasonal depression.” Simply put, I was experiencing the winter blues. If shorter days, frosty mornings, and sunshineless days put you in a funk, try these three tips for beating the winter blues.
1. Change of Scenery
Have you ever heard of Snow Bird? A snowbird is a northern who moves south during the winter months to escape the season's snow, ice, and general dreariness. It may not be an option to take up a separate residence for half the year or move permanently to warmer climates. But you could schedule a trip in the dead of winter to somewhere warmer or even tropical to help boost your mood.
Does melancholy set in more after Christmas? Plan a weekend getaway down south for a few days in the middle of January. Does the start of the winter season stir your anxiety? Take a last-minute trip to a beach down south; typically, winter is still months away, and you can gently ease into the colder months. Are the kids out of school again due to another snowstorm? Once it’s safe to travel, consider taking a road trip; snow-free highways might only be a few hours away, depending on where you live.
If any trip isn’t in the plans for you and your family, make your tropical paradise. Consider purchasing a light therapy lamp; these little squares provide much-needed “sunshine” and are an instant mood lifter. This was one of my best things; I sat it on my desk during the workday and kept it in my home.
2. Mix Up Your Routine
For many people, the lack of daylight causes a drastic mood shift. If this is you, think about shifting your routine. The goal would be to take advantage of daylight hours and save “office work” or another administrative task when it’s dark. Do you usually catch up on e-mails, read a few chapters of your books, or pay bills during your lunch break? Move that to when the kids go to bed, and take a walk mid-day for a vitamin D boost.
Many companies now are offering flexible schedules. Inquire with your boss if you could start work earlier, when it’s dark, and end when there’s still some daylight left. Running errands, shuffling kids, or fixing dinner won't seem as daunting with a bit of sunshine. On the weekends, plan around the warmest part of the day, eat outside if it’s an unseasonably warm day, or grab a window seat at your favorite diner. You may not be able to adjust your schedule this winter, but the hope would be to sneak in a moment to enjoy the daylight.
3. Get Moving
One thing the therapist pinpointed as a source of my melancholy was that I had shut down my schedule due to the weather. I went from going to a nightly group exercise class, hanging out with friends on the weekend, and attending church in person to only leaving my house to work. Often, on the weekends, I wouldn’t even step outside from Friday evening until Monday morning.
For a social butterfly such as myself, the lack of human connection took a toll on my mental health. Engaging in a sweat session with new friends from the gym, grabbing a coffee after work with a co-worker, or just hanging out with others downtown is soul-lifting. So, to go months without these interactions, I became depressed and emotionally depleted.
Depending on where you live, gathering with friends and family or continuing your routine despite the cooler temperatures will be easier. My husband, who has lived in the south, where it doesn’t often get below freezing, snow is a once every few years event, and our days are longer than most places, still battles his moods during the winter. Living in Montreal, where snow can barricade you in your home, can be more difficult.
Try swapping out lunch at your desk to fellowship with co-workers in the breakroom. Bring a game, and share a few mid-day laughs. If it’s the cooler temperatures you don’t enjoy, join a gym with a sauna or steam room. Take up hot yoga, try indoor sports, or invite a friend to work out in your living room. Consider going out for an early dinner or watching a movie after work. Going out straight from work makes you more likely to follow through with your plans than going home first.
Winter is necessary; it is always natural to rest and pave the way for future growth. And for some who love a white Christmas, skiing down the mountain, or an excuse to put on a fire and cuddle up with a good book, January through March can be some of the best. Whichever camp you find yourself in, the good news is that no season lasts forever!
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Photo credit: Unsplash/Nadine Rupprecht
