Surviving the Winter Blues

The holidays are over, short days, limited sunshine, we all feel it. I’ve created a list of tips to help you get through the chilly start of the new year. I’ll be using some of them right alongside you! 

1. Plan something to look forward to – whether it’s a beach vacation in 6 months or a trip to your favorite coffee shop this weekend.
2. Engage in cozy hobbies and reduce screentime – crafting, Legos, reading
3. Get out and move – take a short 10–15-minute walk outside per day if that feels doable (this allows you to get some vitamin D too)
4. Try not to isolate yourself. It’s easy to hibernate in the cold winter months but beneficial to come out of the cave occasionally for a gathering with family or friends. If leaving the house feels too difficult, invite someone over or pick up the phone to chat
5. Activity scheduling – use behavioral activation (a skill from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to build motivation and habits. Schedule activities that bring either pleasure or feelings of accomplishment throughout your week. Once you feel the positive effects, this can drive you to keep doing those things (keep a written log if that’s helpful for you).

If you experience significant signs of depression like loss of interest, extreme fatigue, and difficulty concentrating – this is a sign you may be dealing with something a little more intense than the “winter blues” so consider reaching out for professional help. 

P.S. – As of January 1st, there are only about 80 more days until spring!