I LOVE the holidays.  Baking, my family’s traditions, and cozying up with my boyfriend while our cat trips out on tree lights is the literal BEST.  But since I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression years ago, this is also a season that I carefully track my mental health.  Besides all the delightful things that the cold months bring us, there’s also a lot I dislike about the winter season.  

• I hate being cold.  Gaaaaahhh being cold sucks.  Bring me a heat wave any day of the year.

• Less sunlight?!? Why would I want that.  I don’t live in California so that I can hang out with more darkness. 

• Holiday pressure.  Yeah, I know I just said I love the holidays.  But every year I’m like, did I HOLIDAY HARD ENOUGH?  

I’ve noticed over the years that some time between mid-November and the end of February, my brain will inevitably have a depression/anxiety meltdown.  The medical field (yay science!) refers to this as SAD, aka Seasonal Affective Disorder.  You betcha they did that acronym on purpose. 

You can look up more information about this from a qualified source like the National Institute of Health.  Basically, SAD is characterized by symptoms of depression that recur at the same time every year.  I’m not here to diagnose you with it, but I am here to talk about how I take extra good care of myself during this time.  

I know this happens to me every year, and while I can’t avoid it, I can take steps for dedicated self care:

• Give a heads up to your loved ones: Every year when the time changes, I remind my closest peeps that I might reach out for their help, and to check in with me more over the coming months.  You don’t need to tell EVERYONE what you’re going through, but the people who love you want to know how to help.

• Carve out dedicated time for the things that bring you joy.  I know that getting outside, exercising, journaling, and planning adventures for when it’s warmer are things that bring me joy and mental peace.  So I make sure I’m extra careful to keep up on them during this time.  

• Be kind to yourself.  Depression can sometimes be a meany.  Don’t beat yourself up mentally if your coping mechanisms are sleeping more, avoiding social activity, or eating extra carbohydrates (all symptoms of SAD).  This is temporary.  You’ll come out on the other side.  

• Ask. For. Help.  Oooof this one is hard, but practice makes it easier.  I once sent a text to some of my friends that said “I’m experiencing really bad depression, do any of you have time to talk right now?”.  What a gift that the people who received that text responded back.  Ask for what you need from your partner.  Ask your friends and family if they have time to lend an ear.  Pay a therapist to give you professional guidance.  Bribe your cat with treats for a few more minutes of snuggling.  

Those are my tips.  They aren’t intended to stop my winter blues, just to help me get through it easier.  You can’t stop the wave, you just gotta roll with it, or something like that. I can’t change who I am, but I can learn to adapt what that brings my way.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). You also can text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741) or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

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