Winter Blues
Winter has definitely been put in overdrive, with snow storms hitting most of our homes as early as September. It’s only been a few weeks since daylight savings, and damn I hate it here. I wake up to go to work and I’m in awe at how lovely and bright the sky is and by the time I’m off, I’m wondering where the hell my day went. It be so dark and so cold that the only thing I be in the mood for is to be at home, in bed, under the covers. This is cool and all until I find myself curled up in a ball crying until my voice is hoarse. This, for me, is my version of the winter blues, or seasonal depression, if you don’t want to dress it up and make it sound all pretty.
Mental health has been an issue that’s been present for years, but only now has it been making itself as a major conversation topic. It seems people are being more aware of their own mental health and trying to find ways to battle it. With that being said, seasonal depression is real! The Mayo Clinic describes seasonal depression as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. Pretty fitting huh.
SAD is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.
Some of the symptoms described are
Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
Having low energy
Having problems with sleeping
Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
Feeling sluggish or agitated
Having difficulty concentrating
Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
More Specific to the colder seasons
Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
Tiredness or low energy
We all may feel this from time to time, but you know your body and know when you’re feeling off. If you’re experiencing these things more than usual, don’t just brush it off as you’re just PMSing. There is nothing wrong with your mental going through stages. As you see, the weather does it. Sometimes it’s nice out and the sun and smiling, other times it’s shitty and muddy outside, and the sky is crying. Nature goes through it’s motions, so you are allowed to do the same. It’s managing these moods when it happens that you want to focus on. What most suggest to handle SAD is some light therapy. But if you don’t have the time NOR money, since come on it’s Christmas time, our pockets are already hurt, I have came up with a list of things to do that’s been helping me over the years.
8. BAKE CHRISTMAS TREATS, fill your home with warmth and amazing smelling goodies
10. LIGHT CANDLES, the easiest way to relax you
OPEN THE BLINDS EVERY MORNING, start off by getting some light in your life
DON’T CANCEL PLANS, get your ass up and out of bed
DRESS WARM AND COZY, prepare for the cold or you’ll never want to be out in the cold
EAT HEALTHY, heavy snacks can make you feel heavy and tired
ENJOY YOUR OFF DAYS, take your off days and spend them out in the sun
VOLUNTEER AT SHELTERS, pass out hot cocoa, donate warm clothes and toys, have a canned food drive, spread joy to those who aren’t able to be in the position you are in
CLEAN AND ORGANIZE YOUR HOME, a messy home is a messy life
BAKE CHRISTMAS TREATS, fill your home with warmth and amazing smelling goodies
WATCH CHRISTMAS MOVIES, find something from your childhood and relive your favorite Christmas moments
LIGHT CANDLES, the easiest way to relax you
TAKE A LONG HOT BATH, wash off those heavy toxins and negative vibes
DRINK LOTS OF HOT BEVERAGES, feel calming and warm inside
HANG UP FAIRY LIGHTS, this is just a personal fave of mine, it always seems to take me to another world, and they’re really pretty and inviting
READ A NEW BOOK, even if you’re not a reader, start a new show, have something to look forward too when you come home
WRITE DOWN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GRATITUDE’S FOR THIS YEAR, it’s the end of the year, it’s time to look back at everything you’ve accomplished and celebrate!
I know this can be a tough season, but it can also be a magical one. You’re spending more time with family. Catching up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Indulging in holiday activities. And, its going to be a new year! This should be a time of celebrations and happy memories, and not one spent moping around. Whatever you can do to battle your winter blues, do it, and don’t let it defeat you.
