Surviving the ‘Winter Blues’
It's a tough subject, one that needs talking about more because Seasonal Depression is very common. It is often invalidated as people have amazing summers where their mental health may be improving then when winter rolls around, their hard work and improvement is undone by long nights, gloomy weather and the fatigued feeling when we get up in the morning. This is okay, it's unfortunately something that affects more people than we know as it is little talked about.
I had a bout of it a couple of years back. I was studying at college and working at the same time throughout winter, so I was leaving my house in the dark morning and coming home at night when it was also dark. My daylight hours were spent working/learning which is the case for a lot of people and this can be very lonely. It's not something to be ashamed of or something that makes you weak, it just means that you need your support system a little more, so reach out to your friends and family, see if they want to do something or ask if you can have a chat with them. It is important in the winter especially that your work/life balance is relatively even and you have your time as a human, not a machine working over time. Please also bear in mind for the duration of this post that I am in no way a psychiatrist and I can only speak for myself and what helps and works for me.
Nights can be long too, you have the dark evening where, in the summer you'd be out having a barbecue, having a couple of drinks outside or walking your dog still at 9pm but in winter, this seems like the middle of the night and it's easy to lose track of when to sleep and when to wake up. My sleeping pattern was all over the shop with it, I'd sometimes stay up for 48 hours at a time then sleep for another 24.
Christmas can also be a touchy subject for many, as winter is heavily associated with the festive season. It breaks my heart that not everyone can get excited for Christmas as it is a holiday surrounded with family, friends and loved ones and, for many people they do not have anyone to celebrate with. This could be an elderly man who had no children or siblings and has lost his wife, or a young adult who has estranged family and struggles to build friendships. It can be a very lonely time of year for many people and this is where the depression can start.
It's important to look out for our fellow humans and if you see any changes like this occurring in anyone you know this winter, PLEASE reach out to them. Even if they haven't been in touch for a couple of days and you're not sure if they want to be left alone or are just too busy, reach out. All it takes is a text message and a chat over coffee for a weight to be lifted off a chest and a depression spiral to be avoided. It's also important to note that seasonal depression also occurs in people who have depression all year round, it can heighten in the winter due to any of the reasons listed, so if you know of anyone suffering let them know you are there and just a phone call away.
Just as importantly, if you are suffering please know that I can't promise it will be easy, but I can promise you won't have to do it alone. If you are struggling to reach out to friends and family, or if you have nobody you feel you can reach out to, I urge you to see your GP or give the Samaritans a call. The number is 116 123 and it is a 24 hour hotline, it is FREE to use and won't show up on your phone bill.
If you need a friend this winter, or at any time at all, please use the 'Contact Me' form to get in contact and I promise to be an avid listener.
Until next time...
G x
I had a bout of it a couple of years back. I was studying at college and working at the same time throughout winter, so I was leaving my house in the dark morning and coming home at night when it was also dark. My daylight hours were spent working/learning which is the case for a lot of people and this can be very lonely. It's not something to be ashamed of or something that makes you weak, it just means that you need your support system a little more, so reach out to your friends and family, see if they want to do something or ask if you can have a chat with them. It is important in the winter especially that your work/life balance is relatively even and you have your time as a human, not a machine working over time. Please also bear in mind for the duration of this post that I am in no way a psychiatrist and I can only speak for myself and what helps and works for me.
Nights can be long too, you have the dark evening where, in the summer you'd be out having a barbecue, having a couple of drinks outside or walking your dog still at 9pm but in winter, this seems like the middle of the night and it's easy to lose track of when to sleep and when to wake up. My sleeping pattern was all over the shop with it, I'd sometimes stay up for 48 hours at a time then sleep for another 24.
Christmas can also be a touchy subject for many, as winter is heavily associated with the festive season. It breaks my heart that not everyone can get excited for Christmas as it is a holiday surrounded with family, friends and loved ones and, for many people they do not have anyone to celebrate with. This could be an elderly man who had no children or siblings and has lost his wife, or a young adult who has estranged family and struggles to build friendships. It can be a very lonely time of year for many people and this is where the depression can start.
It's important to look out for our fellow humans and if you see any changes like this occurring in anyone you know this winter, PLEASE reach out to them. Even if they haven't been in touch for a couple of days and you're not sure if they want to be left alone or are just too busy, reach out. All it takes is a text message and a chat over coffee for a weight to be lifted off a chest and a depression spiral to be avoided. It's also important to note that seasonal depression also occurs in people who have depression all year round, it can heighten in the winter due to any of the reasons listed, so if you know of anyone suffering let them know you are there and just a phone call away.
Just as importantly, if you are suffering please know that I can't promise it will be easy, but I can promise you won't have to do it alone. If you are struggling to reach out to friends and family, or if you have nobody you feel you can reach out to, I urge you to see your GP or give the Samaritans a call. The number is 116 123 and it is a 24 hour hotline, it is FREE to use and won't show up on your phone bill.
If you need a friend this winter, or at any time at all, please use the 'Contact Me' form to get in contact and I promise to be an avid listener.
Until next time...
G x
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