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Season For The Winter Blues

‘Tis the season for family, food, and gifts… And if you live somewhere with short winter days, it might also be the season for the winter blues.

Here in Alaska, we’re currently getting less than six hours of daylight, and despite every effort to lean into the holiday cheer, it can start to feel like the sun is never going to return.

Although other places might not have the horribly drastic changes in the length of days that we do up here in the Frozen North, as an Oregon native I know that the months of grey, wet winter in the lower 48 can also take a toll on energy levels and mental health.

 

As I’ve found since moving up North, symptoms of the “winter blues” (a general term for low mood and energy, which is different from Seasonal Affective Disorder – we’ll discuss SAD later) can sneak up on you.

 

It might start with later wakeup times, since the sun isn’t up to interrupt your rest.

Then, you might find yourself canceling a meetup with a friend, since the weather is disgusting and the idea of dragging out your rain gear to go squelch to a restaurant and try to drip dry there feels daunting.

Low energy and motivation are common this time of year, and they’re kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

If you let low energy dictate what you do, then you’ll likely have even LESS momentum the next time you want to get out of the house.

 

Ultimately, this can lead to isolation, which is a major contributor to mental health challenges.

That’s why, this time of year, it’s particularly important to make sure you’re staying keeping yourself connected and engaged with community and activities that recharge you.

 

So what can we do to avoid falling into this trap of winter boredom, inactivity, and, yes, depression?

 

The answer is relatively simple, but like most things, can be harder in practice than it might sound.

Ask yourself, “What things fill me with energy?

This might be planning a craft day for your family, going out for coffee and gossip with a close friend, visiting a spa or getting a manicure, going for a ten mile run, or any number of other things.

There’s no one “right” answer.

If those things feel limited by the weather, maybe try coming up with replacements that make you more likely to follow through.

Love running but hate that you have to run with ice spikes this time of year?

Consider a gym membership, utilizing on base facilities (the base gym near us has an indoor running track that gets quite a bit of use when it is 10 degrees out here), or getting a treadmill to use at home.

Want to go out with a friend but don’t want to brave the storm?

Throw it back to 2020 with a phone call or a zoom meeting instead! Finding ways to make staying connected feel like less of a chore can be a big help.

Getting involved through outreach or community service can also be incredibly rewarding, and help give a feeling of purpose, especially this time of year.

If you belong to a church that adds meaning to your life, maybe try getting involved with a ministry that has meaning for you – or start one if you see a need that isn’t being filled.

A community food pantry, charity shop, or an organization like the Boys and Girls Club or Scouts might also be a good option. I’m an avid reader, so for me this takes the form of volunteering at my local library.

 

Anything that fits your schedule and your passions can go a long way towards combatting the tedium of winter.

 

It’s important to note that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is very real and can be hard to overcome alone.

If you find yourself having difficulty concentrating, losing interest in things that usually bring you joy, feeling hopeless, struggling with food cravings, or experiencing a lack of energy that impacts your ability to engage with everyday activities, and these feelings last several weeks or more, please seek help from a medical professional.

SAD can cause severe depressive symptoms and even suicidal ideation, but there is help out there, if you reach out for it.

I’ll leave you with this bit of optimism – the longest day of the year is already behind us, and although it may seem like it will, the winter won’t last forever.

Take care of yourselves, and stay warm!

 

 

Meet our newest blogger….

 


seasonZell Murdy is an addiction and mental health counselor, and is passionate about working with military members and their families. Zell is also a Coast Guard spouse, proud dog parent, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. An Oregon native currently located in Alaska, Zell can be found taking scenic walks, cross-stitching, playing in the community band, and reading way, way too many books.

Zell runs Borealis Counseling, a mental health and addiction counseling practice with the mission to provide coping skills, support, and empowerment to anyone facing challenging times – particularly those with a service connection. It can be hard to seek mental health support, especially with barriers such as insurance, frequent moves, and limited financial and time resources. Borealis Counseling aims to help break down those barriers, and support service members and their families in getting the help and healing they need.

 

 

 

*To reach out to Zell, visit www.borealiscounseling.com. To read more posts from our amaing militry spouse community, check out our Experience and Expert blogging pages.



Author

  • Zell Murdy is an addiction and mental health counselor, and is passionate about working with military members and their families. Zell is also a Coast Guard spouse, proud dog parent, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. An Oregon native currently located in Alaska, Zell can be found taking scenic walks, cross-stitching, playing in the community band, and reading way, way too many books. To reach out to Zell, visit www.borealiscounseling.com

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