Coping with Depression During the Autumn and Winter months

Summer has officially come to an end, which means we say a temporary farewell to the beloved sunny warmer days. As summer days fade into cooler autumn nights, the season isn’t the only thing changing. We may begin to experience less energy, sadness, lack of motivation and focus, and a longing to stay curled up in bed. Have you noticed this about yourself? Or, maybe keeping it together towards the end of the year seems to be more difficult with each passing year?

Feeling this way can be alarming, and often frustrating as we question what’s wrong with us and why we can’t just shake it off. Rest assured, this can be expected and commonly felt among many. If these symptoms are proving to be more and more difficult to overcome and impacting everyday life keep reading for some tips that may help.

With the approaching hustle and bustle of the holiday season, my heart inclines a little closer toward the one who is quietly hurting. The one who overbooks during this time to try and forget their loneliness and aching grief that nostalgia now brings. The one who holds back anxiety while carving the holiday turkey. The one who flawlessly shines in their tacky Christmas sweater holding on to beliefs that they are unseen.

I understand it well, and can find myself most days during this season feeling like the winter months will never end.

Loneliness, depression, anxiety, grief, family dysfunction, health crisis, financial strain, addiction, fears, stress, stress and more stress stay wrapped up inside as a haunting heaviness. Whatever your haunting heaviness is that tries to restrict joy and peace, please hear me when I say that you are not alone.

You don’t have to overcome depression and anxiety alone or without tools. Here are some ideas to help get ahead of the holiday blues this season:

1. Enjoy the sun: Take a walk outside or keep the shades open. Pro-tip: Mid-day provides the strongest light!

2. Exercise regularly

3. Stay connected to others

4. Journal: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help sort through the negative to find the positive. Try starting each entry with 1-3 things you’re grateful for.

5. Engage in healthy habits: less drinking, stay away from overeating, drink more water, etc.

6. Try Light Therapy: This can include exposure to direct sunlight or using Light Therapy Lamps.

7. Talk with a Counselor: Counseling provides helpful emotional support that can provide healthy coping strategies to overcome the holiday blues.

8. Medication: Talk with your doctor to see if starting antidepressants before the start of winter and continuing until spring would be right for you.

With so much busyness either on its way or already here, it’ll be important to make time to take care of ourselves. I believe in you. Trust the process.