Surviving the Seasonal Depression Shitstorm

I suffer from depression and anxiety all year round, but it feels like it sinks a little deeper into my bones as soon as the days start to get shorter, colder, and less nice sunshiny days all together. 

I start to feel more tired, less motivated, and like I just want to crawl into bed and hibernate till Spring. Still don’t understand why we can’t.

Obviously life doesn’t stop in the colder months, but it should slow to some degree as a naturally forced down time of year. We do need it, but it can sometimes suck us in especially if we are vulnerable to depression, feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Trying to get ahead of it this year and prepare before…I don’t usually do that and am all of a sudden like oh man wtf happened and I’m in it. Most definitely harder to pull yourself back out then a little prevention to help cope better I think. I hope.

Below is my plan to survive (maybe!!), actually plan to cope with seasonal depression this year. I know it won’t make it all sunshine and roses but hopefully slightly less painful.

I’ve been collecting a list all year in my planner for the cold winter season. Projects,  “to-do’s” , hobbies, or self care rituals that I just don’t have time for during the rest of the year but I would really like to do or get done.

Purge my closet

So many pieces of clothing I haven’t worn in YEARS, so many things stuffed in all corners I don’t even know really what is all in there. Will feel good when it’s done, and will likely have a big donation pile.

Learn a New Hobby

Something NEW! I’ve always wanted to make my own sourdough bread but have always thought it was too intimidating, which is why I have a dry active starter already purchased and waiting for me to get the nerve to just try it. Getting a new starter requires some ongoing attention, and a learning curve so I know I will have the time to really spend on it when it’s cold outside.

Light Therapy

Using my SAD light daily – literally as soon as the temperatures changed I could feel my mood slipping. Shorter days, less sunlight, and it’s cold…I fucking hate the cold. It makes me tense and makes my regular pain flare. Sitting my light beside my desk while I work for 30min each day helps a little.

Vitamins

Add some Vitamin D back into my pill/vitamins routine each day, I don’t take it during the summer since I am outside all the time. Gives me a little bit of a boost of what I’m lacking.

I also have Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, and I do not cope well with the cold. It increased my pain and tension and is sometimes just not worth the exposure for some D!

Exercise

Staying consistent with my exercise routine, 4 to 5 days a week.

I turned 40 this year, and the months leading up to it I really focused on trying to rid some old bad habits and not taking care of my body was a big one.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, its deeply engrained in my mind to detach and avoid my body, and until I had my son I did ok with the neglect (kinda!)

So my exercise had to include a lot of mindfulness, and focus on connecting to what my body needs. I’ve chosen slower programs, and am using modifying so I don’t push through (hard not to do when you detach!) 

Bird Feeder aka Nature lol

Oh so much Joy they bring, especially in the winter! We have one right outside the kitchen window all year long, and I love it so much. We have such a cute community of little birdies that are so fun to watch all year, but especially during the winter I can watch their comings and goings from the warmth of my kitchen and feel some connection to nature…and stay warm!

Indoor Gardening

I have a collection of indoor plants I’ve accumulated over the past few years, and some of them could really use some lovin. A bigger pot or new dirt. 

During the winter is the perfect time for me to do these things and feel like I’m gardening which I love during the summer and fall.

As I’ll say with all things, these are coping mechanisms, not cures. Some of these I will do year round because well, I really should do these things to care for myself as a human, and some I actually want to do!

I will still long for Spring, but I do hope to make this winter slightly less doom and gloom for myself. Wish me Luck! What will you be doing to cope this winter?