Ironically as I write this, Michigan is in the middle of a serious snowstorm. We’ve already have nearly a foot of snow on the ground with more on the way. What better time than to talk about how the winter months affect my anxiety and depression, huh?
Whenever I start to feel anxious or down, I always take a bath. The hot water warms me up both inside and out and I feel immediately relaxed and at ease. I light a candle, dim the lights, and take time to just breathe.
The feeling of an endless winter subsides a little when I do something in the snow. If you can’t beat it join it, right? I try to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and embrace the winter wonderland. Of course I bundle up beyond belief, but going for a walk or playing in the snow makes it a lot more bearable.
This winter, regular yoga practices have been a complete game changer for me. It’s designated time during my day to become grounded. I feel stronger, more centered, and more focused. It’s helped with my anxiety immensely and in ways I never expected. It’s definitely something I recommend if you suffer from anxiety as well.
Nothing beats the winter blues like having things to look forward to. In the colder months I always try to schedule some parties, events, or outings so I have things to get excited about each week. That way I don’t feel like I’m constantly trapped inside or that the days have no point and just keep repeating themselves.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you need to take a day in bed or don’t have as much motivation to do things as you usually do. Winters are always the hardest on my anxiety and depression. I cut myself a little slack, watch a bit more Netflix than usual, and try to focus on the positive as much as possible.
If you have depression or anxiety than you already know that it’s a “take it day by day” kind of thing. When it’s cold out I drink a few more chai lattes, take quite a lot of baths, and snuggle with my cats. Plus I remind myself that it won’t be cold forever. That always helps.
