Rev. Douglas J. House, M.Div.
What to Do About Winter Blues?
Perhaps like you, I remember TV ads from the past where professional football players, after having won the Super Bowl, would be asked what they were going to do next. The reply invariably would be “I’m going to Disneyworld!” At times, the Super Bowl has been played in locales where winter is present with cold temperatures, blowing winds, and diminished sunlight. No wonder Disneyworld in Florida looks so appealing with its warmer temperatures, soft ocean breezes, and a much more enjoyable climate.
Few of us will ever win the Super Bowl in life, yet we find at times that winter takes its toll on us in many ways. We may discover at this time of year that we, too, long for warmer temperatures and more sunlight. As a matter of fact, winter can even play a role in the way that we look at life. At times, it’s easy to succumb to what is known as the “Winter Blues”. The lessening of sunlight at this time of year, coupled with colder temperatures, and the lack of social connections can affect us in so many ways.
In an article entitled “Ten Tips to Beat the Winter Blues”, the University of Nebraska identifies that “seasonal sadness” doesn’t necessarily mean “depression”, although some of the characteristics may be similar. The article continues in reading that, “[a]s the weather turns cold and gloomy, we tend to spend less time outside and reduce our exposure to light. This change can affect the body’s natural clock (circadian rhythm) and cause [us] to continue producing the sleep hormone melatonin, which lowers [our] mood and energy.”(1) When we add the factor of having lost someone we love, the “seasonal sadness” can become even more pronounced. With the coming of the month of March we begin to see more sunlight, yet we still can be held in the grip of sadness.
The Winter Blues Can Offer a New Beginning
A friend of mine suffers from Winter Blues every year, however he confesses that some winters seem to be worse than others. He says that he knows that he withdraws from people in whose company he usually finds comfort and friendship. He relays how it would be easy for him to stay in bed every day, and he has to force himself to get up and get on with daily life. He does it, though. He gets up, empowered by both music and the reading of poetry. He finds comfort in re-casting the effects of his Winter Blues through the words of others which come to color his life beyond “blue”. He understands, as others have said, that “winter blues are a reminder to seek the light within the darkness.” For him, the light of life is found in the beautiful words of poetry as well as in the strains of music that he loves. What about you? Where do you find the light in the midst of winter blues? What would be your “new beginning”?
“When Winter Steals the Colors, Let Your Dreams Paint the World Anew”
Despite the toll that Winter Blues may take on us, we know that that there is always hope for the future. The Winter Blues may come with the seasons, but they will fade with the seasons as well. In the meantime, changing our lifestyles can help in reducing the effects that we experience. The article I mentioned above from the University of Nebraska offers the following advice to help with Winter Blues:
1. Spend time outside each day to get fresh air, even if only for a few minutes.
2. Open your blinds or window shades to let in more sun.
3. Plan activities with friends or family to stay socially connected.
4. Get good sleep at night, but try not to oversleep, which can make symptoms worse.
5. Eat a healthy diet full of fresh produce, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates.
6. Identify a hobby or activity you enjoy and make time each week to do it.
7. Try a new winter activity, like skiing, ice skating or sledding.
8. Practice mindfulness through meditation, journaling or breathing exercises.
9. Continue or establish an exercise routine.
10. Try light therapy with a light lamp, which can be purchased online.(2)
When we believe that Winter Blues will not last, that they will turn into the brightness of a spring sky, or the warmth of a spring day, we will see that the darkness of the winter is only momentary. With intentional efforts to get beyond the Winter Blues, we can paint our lives with the majestic colors of hope. And there will always be a new day that dawns.
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1 Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center.
2 Nebraska Medicine
