Seasonal depression is hitting a little harder for me this year. The shorter days and colder air along with a spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide and family holiday traditions being put on hold; this is the perfect recipe for pandemic-depression to fuse with seasonal depression, creating a dreary end to an otherwise lousy year.
Though 2020 has undoubtedly exhausted us all, we deserve to try (if not succeed) to end our year on the best note possible. It’s a challenge, but considering everything else this year has challenged us with, we owe it to ourselves to fight for those little moments of serenity and happiness in the last couple months of a year we will happily kiss goodbye in a month and a half. Here are some steps I’ve been taking to gently ease myself into a warmer mental space during these cold times.
1. Use a Lightbox
Light therapy is used by many to help combat seasonal affective disorder. It works by mimicking the natural light and warmth you would receive by being outdoors on a summer day, tricking your mind into believing it’s received the nutrients straight from the sun itself. A 10,000-lux lightbox is used to help fight seasonal affective disorder, and by sitting 16-24 inches away from it everyday for 30 minutes, letting the light hit the tops of your eyelids, you may see an increase in energy levels, a heightened mood, and a better sleep schedule. You can get a lightbox from any website that sells them (including Amazon), but if you work with a healthcare provider, therapist, or psychiatrist, they may be able to prescribe it to you– in which case, you’d get a major discount, as lightboxes can be on the pricier side.
2. Dedicate Something Special to Each Day of the Week
This will give you something to look forward to everyday, even on the days where getting out of bed is the most challenging thing you do. Self Care-Sunday, Movie-Monday, and Facemask-Friday are a few ideas, and you can even add some more active days within your week by dedicating Wednesdays to walking somewhere, Tuesdays to trying a new activity, etc, etc. When you have something to look forward to, even if it’s as small as walking down to Starbucks or applying a facemask, the days are that much more enjoyable.
3. Clean Your Room
Set aside one day to lock yourself in your room, blast some music, pack away your summer clothes, do your laundry, reorganize your makeup, and wipe down all surfaces. A clean space is a happy space, and the feeling of a clean and tidy room is like a weight being lifted off your shoulders- even if you just reorganize drawers that you can’t see into, you’ll know they’re organized and it’ll change the feeling of your space. For the aromatherapy, light some candles, too.
4. Make A Winter Bucket List
This is the best way to appreciate the little things, even on the days when it’s freezing and snowy. There’s always something you can do to make yourself feel accomplished and have a little bit of fun. Last winter, my bucket list included things like go ice-skating, make a snowman, have a snowball fight, make a gingerbread house, make a fire, roast some marshmallows, go sledding (I don’t ski, so this is as active as I can get in the snow), buy a little Christmas tree for your room and decorate it, try a new holiday drink– in fact, make it a cocktail if you’re 21. Have a kiss under a mistletoe (even if it’s just with your dog), cook something different on Thanksgiving, wear red lipstick for a day, take a night drive around the neighborhood and admire the lights on the trees…fill these winter months with some fun. It’s possible!
5. Make a Vision / Manifestation Board
Whether it’s on Pinterest or handmade, envision a time in your life that you’re looking forward to. It can be as close or far away as you want it to be, but make it real and lay it out in front of you. This is your reminder that things are going to be great, and that time keeps moving even though the days are darker and colder. You have so much to look forward to. 2021 is going to be your year, you are going to accomplish everything you need to, things will fall into place, it will be warm again.
Fighting depression is hard. There might be some days where you just don’t feel like doing anything, and that’s okay. Go easy and be gentle with yourself– it’s been a tough year, so treat yourself with some love and compassion. Just don’t forget that treating yourself with love and compassion also means taking the initiative to help yourself feel the best you can possibly feel, even if that means taking a day to watch Netflix in your pajamas.
Stay where the light is!
Xoxo,
Cati
*Edited by Julia Kaplansky.
*Mental Health Crisis Hotline Number: 800-273-8255.