Winter Blues?

As my Vitamin D levels plummet so does my mental health.

It’s so strange my seasonal depression kicks in every year around this time but I never see it coming. It starts with insomnia, leads to impulsive shopping and ends with an overwhelming sense of emptiness. But this year is different because I am owning my depression and following systems that I have used in the past to stop me from falling down the never ending black hole. I’m not a doctor, but I can offer you a few tips that have helped me. Keep reading if you want to know how I am coping with my seasonal depression.

Tip 1: Take Time to be Present

Find something you can look forward to at the end of each day! I like most of the world am addicted to Netflix. October is full of suspenseful horror flicks, which I love but this kind of entertainment can effect your mental health more than you would think. In November, I try to focus on uplifting content to counteract all of the horror films I watched the month before. Balance is crucial. Rather than finding shows I can binge, I like to watch nostalgic movies that put me in a great mood.

Tip 2: Affirmations

Affirmations are a super important part of my day. Each day as I have my morning coffee I reach for a card from my I Am Everything deck. I also love listening to affirmations on Spotify and YouTube. Affirmations really put life into perspective and fuel me with positivity when I feel a negative spiral coming on.

Tip 3: Morning Walks

It’s cold, I know but daily morning walks help reset your circadian rhythm. It also provides your daily dose of Vitamin D. I love starting my daily with movement. I feel an instant sense of accomplishment which I am able to carry though out my day.

Tip 4: Express Gratitude

It may sound cheesy but we all have a lot to be thankful for. If I am feeling overwhelmed I like to list off everything I may be taking for granted. I often find myself getting stuck in a negative thought pattern. My therapist suggested I interrupt my anxiety with gratitude. This quote is submitted in my brain. I try to make writing down what I am grateful for a daily habit otherwise when I begin to spiral I may forget how simple it could be to bring my self back to balance.

Tip 5: Call A Friend

As we struggle with our mental health we tend to feel we are in this alone but we are not. In the winter, we often become more internal because it’s so temping to put on cozy clothes and stay in bed. It is important we make time each day to reconnect with our loved ones.