It happens every year, so I’ve slowly collected coping mechanisms.
Without fail, November through March weighs me down with seasonal depression. The sky is gray, it’s cold, and it’s even more dreary after the holidays. I’ve been dealing with seasonal depression since middle school, but I’ve found ways to get myself out of the slump.
It may be comfortable to wallow in the dreariness, but here are some coping mechanisms I’ve gathered to help make myself feel better.
Working Out
Working out always gets my endorphins pumping. It can be hard for me to stay motivated during the winter, so I like to keep workouts fun and enjoyable. Pilates, yoga, and even YouTube dance workouts are some of my favorite go-to workouts.
Working out makes me feel accomplished, even if it’s the only activity I did that day. When facing seasonal depression, I can spiral downwards and get stuck in negative thoughts, but working out gives me a chance to get out of my head.
Even when I really don’t want to, I always thank myself for getting up and moving my body.
Increasing Greenery
Winter is bleak, and it doesn’t help my sadness. The trees are bare, bushes are brown, and there are no beautifully colored flowers popping out of the ground.
To counteract the lack of greenery outside, I like to buy myself flowers and plants for my room and home. As I’ve written before, plants have many benefits like raising your mood.
When I know a living organism is relying on me for its water, it reminds me to perform basic tasks; buying myself flowers always feels like a treat and who doesn’t feel good after a treat.
Finding Hobbies
I’ve noticed that I tend to pick up hobbies when I’m depressed because they keep me busy and allow me to set new goals. Lately I’ve been hooked on paint-by-number sets because they’re extremely easy to get caught up in and oddly enough, very relaxing.
I set goals for myself when I start for how much I want to paint that day and feel accomplished when I meet that goal.
Self-Care
The last, and most important thing, I always make sure to take my antidepressants. I’ve been dealing with major depressive episodes for a few years, but it always gets worse in the winter.
I set reminders for myself to take my medication because these activities alone can be challenging for me. My medication gives me the ability to get out of bed and participate in various activities.
Everyone is affected by the winter differently. Some love it, others fall into seasonal depression, like me. It can be hard to feel motivated and take care of yourself.
I try my best to stick to these four activities, no matter how hard it gets. Remember, there are so many ways to get help, you are not alone.