January can be a very difficult month. Although "Blue Monday" is not necessarily the "most depressing day of the year," this time of year can be very difficult. The holidays are over, and the weather is cold and dreary. Here in Winnipeg, the sun hasn't shone in days and has no plans to shine for another week. This can make getting through each day difficult. Feelings of "winter blues" and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) set in, and some of us are just trying to make it to spring.
If you're struggling with feelings of sadness, depression, and low energy, here are five things to try to make winter more enjoyable:
1. Practice Self-Care
Self-care could look like getting a good night's rest, eating good food, drinking water, taking your vitamins, doing things that you enjoy, and anything else that takes care of you physical and mental health.
2. Be Active
Moving your body can boost your mood, restore your energy, and improve your overall well-being. Find a way to move your body that you actually enjoy. Go for a walk, go skating, get involved with a sport you enjoy, go to a gym, practice yoga, etc.
3. Be Kind to Yourself
This time of year can be difficult for a lot of people. The lack of sunlight and cold temperatures do make it difficult to be motivated, have energy, and have a positive mood, and some people are more impacted by the winter weather than others. This is normal. Try being kind to yourself during hard days by saying, "It's okay that you don't have a lot of energy today. Let's just do this one task because that's my limit for today, and that's okay."
4. Connect with Others
It can be very easy to isolate ourselves during the winter. We don't want to go outside because the weather sucks and maybe a lot of the things we enjoy are available during the winter, but connecting with people we care about can boost our mood and help us get through the difficult times in winter. Whether it's grabbing food, hosting a games night, or just calling a friend, these things can make a big difference.
5. Connect with a Therapist
Having a space to talk about what is going on in your life and sort through your what is going on in your life can make a big difference. A mental health professional can provide you with the support you need during this difficult time.
Although today isn't truly the "most depressing day of the year," this is a difficult time of year. It can be a rough transition to get back to normal life after the holidays, particularly when the weather is dreary. But remember that you are not alone. These are just a few things you can do to try and get through this difficult season and find enjoyment, even in winter.
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