Taking Care of Yourself
Winter can be a difficult time for many reasons. Let’s talk about how to take care of ourselves!
Reason #1: Days are shorter, darker, and rain is prevalent. Many of us may already be aware of seasonal depression. Whether or not that is the case for you, here are some ideas for how to take care of yourself during the winter months:
Consider a therapy light. These lights mimic sunlight, increasing serotonin and decreasing melatonin. They can also assist our sleep cycle.
When available, spend time in front of a window. Even the smallest amount of light can help our mood.
Get outside, rain or shine! Wear clothing that will keep you warm and dry. A short walk around the block can even help our mood. Consider looking for things in nature that bring you hope and/or joy.
Gather friends or family (maybe just a phone or video call), and connect, play a game online, laugh, or cry.
Reason #2: Holidays. Need I say more? Holidays can be full of joy, very difficult, or a mix in between. Here are some strategies for the holidays:
Plan ahead. Consider what you will do to take care of yourself. Perhaps the house will be noisy or there is tension in the air. In that case, some ideas are:
If this is a new place, do some research. How many people will be there? Should you bring food or a gift? Dress casual or more formal? Based on the information, determine if you’ll need some down time while you’re there.
If this is a familiar place, consider your past experiences and what you might have needed in order to feel more comfortable. Create a plan to address the gaps.
More ideas include:
Go for a walk outside. Consider taking a dog or human companion with you.
Offer to help cook. This can distract you from everything going on around you.
Be okay with asking for what you need.
Take some quiet time to replenish. If you anticipate this, perhaps you can bring headphones, a comforting item, or a book with you.
Reason #3: Politics. Depending on who you will be with, there may or may not be various opinions about current politics. Here are some ideas in the event they come up:
If you enjoy these conversations, great! At the same time, be sensitive to others that may not be thrilled. Consider finding a room where the conversation can be had without bothering others.
If you do not enjoy political conversations, it is okay to:
Ask if the conversation could wait until a different time (such as after dinner).
Express your discomfort.
Remove yourself from the conversation and take some quiet time to yourself, take a walk, or any of the other ideas above.
