The temperatures are starting to rise, the snow is slowly melting, and the birds are starting to shower us with their morning songs. Spring is just around the corner; yet, it’s during this time of year, late winter, that seasonal affective disorder is at an all time high. The winter blues, some call it.
It’s a difficult time of year, for everyone, really. Most people living in colder climates stay indoors for most of the winter. Stale air and pesky germs make for a season of illness and boredom. I used to find such dread during this time of year. My imagination would take me to sunnier locations and I’d immediately find discontent in where I was living. A lack of vitamin D, nourishing fats, and fresh air would take me swirling into a season of SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Today, I find joy in winter.
Finding Joy in Winter
No, winter is not my favorite season (my heart still sings for spring), but I have learned to enjoy it.
Below are three things that have kept me from falling into a season of SAD for the past few years and have led me to actually enjoy the winter. I’m still ready for spring but the winter has been good!
1. Get Outdoors
I cannot stress this enough. Yes, it’s very cold outside but trust me, bundle up and head outdoors! Breathing the fresh, crisp air, can bring joy to a weary soul.
My rule of thumb is that if the temperatures are 28F+, we can play outside.
Below are a few things we love to do outdoors during the winter.
Ice Fishing
This is new to us but so much fun! Make sure that if you head outdoors to fish on ice that you go with an experienced angler. It’s a lot of fun but you need to exercise safety when on ice.
The rewards of a fish fry afterwards makes the time in the cold completely worth it!
Sledding/Snowboarding
Learn to just have fun in the snow. You can buy some cheap snowboards and sleds, anywhere, really, and just have fun bombing hills!
Exploring
Exploring in the woods during the winter season is a lot of fun and adventure! It’s a great time of year to explore through the backwoods as the brush is completely covered in a blanket of sheer white snow.
Walks
Getting outside during the winter can be as simple as a walk around your block. It takes 20-30 minutes and the fresh air feels great!
2. Find Your Tribe
finding your tribe is so important to finding joy in winter. Find a good group of people that share your interests and spend time with them outdoors or in. Make time to enjoy supper together, play board games, drink tea, and fellowship.
3. Supplement
During this time of year, besides going outdoors, it’s also necessary for me to do a few things with my diet to keep the winter blues and illness away. I personally take a multi, a daily dose of fish oil, vitamin d3 drops, and then cut out all processed foods and sugar. This alongside with exercise and getting outdoors keeps my soul singing during the colder season.
Really, it just comes down to fixing your mind on the goodness and beauty that the winter brings and then embracing it.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
Good advice, Diana! As someone who has dealt with SAD, it’s also helpful to remember I am not alone. Dealing with it really involves a combination of things, as you indicate. It’s also important not to wait until it hits you because then you have to play catch up and dig out of what can be a pretty deep hole. Better to be proactive and plan to take steps as early as October, so you can establish some patterns of behavior to carry you through the winter. Philippians 4 was a strong encouragement to me during those times, so I found it interesting to see it on your blog. Thanks for sharing!
I’m pretty sure if I cut out all sugar that would make ME SAD!! Haha! I agree about the fresh air – got to spend some time outdoors!
Thanks for the great advise and idea’s. Where I live it does not really snow but is very wet and raining. Good Old Oregon.
Finding a creative outlet is a great relief for me! I like furniture and wood making projects. It’s also important to be mindful and enjoy those things that you are doing to feed your soul- don’t be distracted by the past or the future.