When the days seem to get shorter and the sun comes out significantly less, unfortunately it can be easy to fall into some sort of slump. If you’ ha’ve noticed yourself feeling particularly down, empty, fatigued, unmotivated, or something along these lines since the temperatures have dropped, just know you’re not alone. The phenomenon of seasonal sadness, otherwise coined as Seasonal Affective Disorder or seasonal depression in some cases, occurs most commonly in women between 18-35 years old, and around half of undergraduate college students exhibit symptoms (Melrose, 2015). During the gloomy days of winter, I find it crucial to make it a point to pour more love into my wellbeing for the sake of my own mental and physical health, but also my sanity! Here’s some tips that I incorporate into my daily routine that work for me, and hopefully they can work for you too!
Make the extra effort to prioritize yourself
No matter the season, it’s always beneficial to take the steps necessary to work on what’s most important – YOU of course! Although rotting in bed and watching reality TV can sound like the perfect winter day (and trust me I know how enticing that can be), it’s important to not make it a habit and instead, I try to listen to what my body needs. Rewiring the way you think by adopting the “fake it til you make it” attitude, romanticizing the otherwise dull daily chores you’re obligated to do, and holding yourself with confidence are three of many ways that you can make the effort to prioritize yourself and think of yourself as the well-deserving person that you already are. Some of my favorite ways I make sure to show up for myself are by taking myself on solo dates, treating myself to a sweet treat or two, and celebrating every accomplishment, even the little things.
Write out your feelings
Journaling and bullet journalling have been all the craze recently, and definitely for good reason! When I write my feelings out, it’s easier for me to understand exactly the root of what I’m feeling which in turn helps me to imagine the best possible ways of coping or resolving the problem. If starting from scratch seems a bit daunting, no need to worry! There are all different kinds of prompts to answer on the internet and social media as a good starting point. Answering prompts and setting goals for myself, I’ve found, has taught me so much more about who I am as an individual and what I want out of college, my 20s, and beyond. One of my favorite things about being a chronic journal-er is being able to now look back on previous entries I’ve written and see how I’ve been able to grow as a person by overcoming problems I’ve now forgotten about, but that once were overtaking my every thought. This is living proof that people can do hard things!
Plan something to look forward to
That’s right! Buy that plane ticket, take that road trip, go to that concert, try that new workout class! Planning something surrounding your passions and what makes you happy makes for a great light at the end of the tunnel (the tunnel being the gloominess of winter). If you’re not in the right financial situation for a big trip, planning a weekly solo date to a new spot in town you’ve never been to is the perfect solution. I swear, winter makes hot coffees and teas just taste better, so trying out new cafes around Chico when I’m in a bit of a slump always boosts my morale.
Work on healthy habits
One of the few good aspects of the sun setting before 5:00 P.M. is that you can get your sleep schedule back on track! Perfecting your night routine and ensuring you get those 8-10 hours every night sets you up for a great day every day. On mornings that I really don’t want to get out of bed, I turn on a podcast to get my brain going and immediately make my bed which helps me feel productive. Another habit I try to work into my routine is walking places instead of driving whenever I can, or whenever I need a little break from my schoolwork. Walking helps you get active while clearing your mind, and bonus points for going on that walk when the sun starts peeking through the clouds to get your Vitamin D!
Get crafty
While being cooped up at home all day, it’s important to keep your mind stimulated and your creative juices flowing. One of my favorite ways to do that is by getting creative! From scrapbooking, making vision boards, painting, molding clay, bullet journaling, and everything in between, there’s tons of fun ways to unleash your inner artist. Grab some friends, a charcuterie board, your favorite playlist, and some paints and have yourself a night!
Surround yourself with the people you love
This giving season, make sure to give back to the people in your life that uplift you. I find it so important to surround myself with people that make me feel like I can be authentically myself and who celebrate my wins with me. Being around people who bring out the best in you can make days feel more whole and fulfilled. So even if it means reaching out to make plans or just telling them you’re grateful to have them in your life, check up on those people who make you feel whole.