If you live in New England, you’ve probably already been feeling the effects of the time change. The sun has started setting at what feels like halfway through the day, and if you’re feeling increasingly more tired, you wouldn’t be alone. I personally start to feel the anticipatory anxiety of the coming months that follow the holiday season β thoughts of freezing temperatures, snow, and prolonged darkness remind me of what’s to come. For those of us already struggling with mental health, the thought of seasonal depression on top of everything can be overwhelming. All of this has made me want to share some things I’ve found that have helped me embrace this season instead of dread it, beyond the usual suggestions of just “buy a sun lamp.”
Make your space cozy
The physical space we’re surrounded by drastically effects our mood, whether we notice or not. As we head into the season of cold weather, aka more time indoors, take time to make your space one that brings you joy. This might mean hanging your favorite art prints, finding cute and comfy bedding you love, or investing in storage to organize the clutter that’s stressing you out. I especially want to emphasize the importance of lighting. I’m personally begging you to stop using overhead/florescent lighting. Try instead warm toned lamps, string lights, or go absolutely crazy with your candle collection. I’m currently finding a lot of joy in finding different colored glass holders for tea candles.
Take time to rest
Winter is the season of hibernation. There are many lessons we can take away from the plants and animals that settle down during these months to reserve energy. Many of us have subconscious feelings of guilt around rest, which often stems from the value placed on productivity by today’s hyper-capitalist society. We need to push back against this narrative that we must be productive 24/7 by recognizing the necessity of rest, and intentionally scheduling time into our busy schedules to take a break. Prioritizing your well being by spending a night in, taking a nap, or pausing homework to go to bed early does not make you lazy; it actually helps you save energy and feel better when you do need to be productive.
start a non-screen hobby
If you’re like me and spend hours scrolling on social media followed by a sense of guilt and lack of motivation, then first of all: Don’t be so hard on yourself. Second, you might benefit from finding a hobby you truly enjoy that allows you to zone out for a while without the negative effects of social media. It could be crocheting, knitting, painting, pottery, reading, crafting, cooking β really anything. Taking a break from your phone helps you to focus on the present, instead of getting lost in anxiety about the past or future. Plus you end up with handmade goods that you can put up around your room, or gift them to friends and family!
Embrace connection
Cold weather often means we spend more time indoors, which can often lead to feelings of isolation. This season is a great time to intentionally foster your relationships with friends, family, partners, whoever. It doesn’t need to be huge gestures or going to expensive events β check in with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, invite loved ones over for a movie night, craft night, or find something to cook together, facetime your long distance friends and relatives. Find community events in your area at the local coffee shop, bookstore, community center, etc., or invite a friend to some of the great craft fairs and holiday markets in Boston. Local volunteering or political activism is also a great option! There are lots of ways to foster community and connection, even in the lonely winter months.
Find time for movement
As important as rest is, we also need to prioritize our physical wellbeing by finding some time for movement. If the gym is your thing, by all means go for it. But it doesn’t even need to be that intense β there are lots of forms of movement that help us feel more calm and energized, especially during winter months where increased darkness can make us lethargic. This could be:
- Light stretching in the morning/evenings
- Bundling up and going for a walk around your neighborhood/campus
- Try a class like yoga, strength training, pilates etc. (look on umb recreation to see if there’s a class you’d like!)
- Take the train and visit some of the parks and walking paths around boston, or a new area you’ve been meaning to go to
I’m definitely not saying that I do all of these things 24/7. Between full time school and working two jobs, it’s hard to find time to prioritize my mental health and a lot of my free time is spent rotting in bed (also a form of rest). But these are some things I turn to when life starts to feel hard, especially during the winter, and I hope some of them will resonate with you too.