6 Tips on How to Let Go of the Winter Blues This Year

Turns out, the shift into those cooler, darker months can affect a lot more than your wardrobe and willingness to go outside; it can cause a significant shift in your mood, too.

Having the winter blues is common — those not-so-great feelings of sadness, exhaustion, lack of concentration, and restlessness that go hand-in-hand with the season. In more severe cases, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression, can develop and be a sign to seek professional guidance for additional support.

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of this seasonal shift, you can relax and boost your mood with some simple (yet effective!) techniques to soothe your soul and calm your mind. Read on for six ways to reconnect and re-energize all season long.

WHAT CAUSES WINTER BLUES?

The root cause of SAD and the winter blues isn’t fully understood, but scientists believe the reduction in light (and with it, often depletion of Vitamin D stores, which can have a big impact on energy levels) is part of it. According to the Mayo Clinic, other potential factors that influence seasonal mood changes include our circadian rhythm, melatonin levels in the body, or changes in brain chemicals like serotonin.

HOW LONG CAN THE WINTER BLUES LAST?

Essentially, winter blues can start to creep up in fall as days get shorter, and persist until early signs of Spring appear. If you live in a climate with cold seasons, you may start to notice patterns of mood and behaviors during the winter that you don’t necessarily experience during the summer.

Winter blues is considered a temporary, passing feeling, but Seasonal Affective Disorder is different. With SAD, you may experience persistent low mood for weeks, along with a loss of interest in your day-to-day life.

Like with all seasons of life, sometimes we need different coping mechanisms and habits in our toolkit to handle what life throws our way. You might want to start preparing a self-care checklist in anticipation of the winter blues — include a few of your favorite things like a hydrating facial mask, a warming satchel of hot cocoa, or a recurring plan that gives you things to look forward to. Here are a few more tips to help you escape the winter blues: 

6 TIPS TO HELP BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

1. SEIZE THE DAY

Shorter days and longer nights mean taking advantage of the sun while you have it — after all, the lack of vitamin D is one of the biggest reasons for lower moods and disrupted sleep. Aligning yourself with the sun can allow you to feel more in sync with the day, making you more productive, energetic, and ready for bed when the time comes.

Rise up and relish the mornings with your favorite cup of tea, and start your day with five magic minutes to get grounded. Try to get outside, even if that means a walk around the block or a trip to your favorite coffee shop for a cozy beverage. A fifteen minute walk outside can help you deal with mood changes and your mental health.

Light therapy can help with symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. A fifteen minute walk outside can help you deal with mood changes and manage your mental health. Just remember to wear sunscreen daily — yes, even in the thick of winter — and reapply your SPF at least every two hours.

2. LEAN INTO NATURE

Not-so-common advice? Lean in to winter’s whims. There’s a lot of resistance to the season change as the world longs for warmer weather and summery distractions. Like all things in nature, winter has a purpose and some lessons to teach us. (And, shouldn’t we let nature take its course?)

Finding space to really appreciate the quiet and restfulness of winter can bring us a greater sense of purpose. It’s a suitable time to light some of your favorite candles, pull out your journal, and cozy up without feeling the usual pressure of the hustle and bustle.