With winter, comes a seasonal shift. As everyone prepares for the holidays, making plans to travel, gather around the fire with their loved ones, some of us are left back feeling a peculiar kind of melancholy.
The bleak winter night brings comfort, of the kind we don’t generally know about the rest of the year. It’s called the ‘winter blues.’
It’s a form of Season Affective Disorder (aptly named S.A.D., not to be confused with The Big Sad – B.S) and affects millions of people around the globe. When the nights are long and the light of day seemingly escapes as soon as it gets here, some of us are lost. Combined with the comfort a cosy blanket and a warm cup of coffee provides, our productivity drops to zero.
Especially after the apocalyptic year we’ve been through, one would fear ‘winter blues’ will hit worse than ever before.
One would be correct.
Thus, I have taken it upon myself to ensure you, dear reader, are saved from this phenomenon. Below are the ways you can avoid winter blues, and ensure a mellow winter instead of one filled with sorrow.
1) Increase social interaction
I cannot stress this enough! At times, we feel like being left alone. And that’s fine; it’s very human. However, we need to ensure it doesn’t become a habit. Soon enough, you’ll be left wondering the purpose of life, why your feet are cold, and whats heaven like. All good questions, but in small doses. Shockingly, there is a limit to the amount of existential crisis one can have. Personally, I’m hovering near the border myself.
Go to that BBQ you’ve been planning with your school friends. Never miss the weekly, regular, sittings with your university group. Go on a trip with your family.
Ensure you’re surrounded by people you care about. So, pick up the phone and make that call. You may find yourself laughing more, worrying less, and genuinely feeling better. It’s a good alternative for the comfort sadness provides.
2) Soak in the sun
Sun therapy is like one of those magic things you’d expect a witchdoctor to prescribe you. It’s amazing how well it actually works, though. Getting sun early on in the day – usually from 7 to 9 am – can help fight off tiresome feelings, wanting to procrastinate, and being generally miserable.
You can take either a sunbath or a short walk to get the necessary light into your body. It adjusts your sleeping-patterns to normal, naturally waking your body up. You also feel energized and ready to meet whatever life throws at you – a motivation to fend off winter blues.
3) Get just the right amount of sleep
I get it – you love to sleep during the winter! It’s one of the most comforting things to do. Most us tend to over-do it, though. By feeling fatigued, taking long naps, and messing up your sleep schedule, one tends to naturally feel dull and helpless.
You need to control the amount of sleep you actually get. Somewhere from 7-9 hours of a good night’s sleep can do the job. It helps you feel energized the rest of the day. Better yet, it helps you focus on the positives of life. When your body feels at ease, your mind follows suit, thus fighting off the worrisome thoughts that come with winter blues. Remember kids, too much of a good thing isn’t really that good!
4) Work on your mind
In the last decade or so, mental health awareness has increased rapidly. Thankfully, people are starting to remove the socially-constructed stigmas attached to discussions of mental health.
After all, S.A.D. is a form of depression.
Your mind is the key to how you operate. Everything in your life – goals, feelings, plans – revolve around what goes on in the 3-pound organ. It is highly important for you to take care of your thoughts to fight off winter blues.
Breaking News: Self-meditation works!
It helps calm your mind and better evaluate your thoughts and feelings. Take time out each day to partake in visualization and breathing exercises. Self-medication aids in making the most important connection – with yourself. You are more than what meets the eye, to others, and to yourself.
The strange sadness that comes with winter, it’s almost attractive. You mustn’t give in, though. Winter blues is a real phenomenon, affecting millions everywhere. Remember; the cold is beautiful, dangerous, and comforting.
