How To Overcome Seasonal Depression
Every year, daylight savings time is met with acceptance and angst. For some, another hour of sleep is a joyful time, but for others it means endless days of seasonal depression with no relief in sight until the Spring. Along with my own struggles, I’ve had several of my friends express their struggles with this change in time and weather. Not only does it get darker earlier in the day, the temperature has dropped significantly which tends to eliminate any motivation for after work activities. While I know there is no cure for seasonal depression, I hope these tips will help you to at least keep your head above water during this dreary season:
Get some lavender and lots of it. Lavender does wonders for anxiety and helps keep your brain calm. I buy tons of lavender scented candles, essential oils, and sprays so that the smell remains in my home. There’s nothing better then coming home to a peaceful and calming scent.
Do not be afraid to tell your family NO. The holiday season is upon us and with that comes pressure for gifts, travel anxiety, and the dread of having to face the firing squad that is the family dinner. If being around your family causes you stress, don’t be afraid to set boundaries. Maybe show up for Christmas and leave Thanksgiving to be spent with close friends.
USE YOUR PTO AND YOUR SICK DAYS. I repeat….USE YOUR PTO AND YOUR SICK DAYS. There’s this stigma that taking time off is frowned upon and we need to end it. Take all the self care days that you need because at times, work is a trigger point. It’s the holiday season and you should spend as many days away from the office as possible. A lot of companies have “use it or lose it” policies so don’t be that person working on Christmas Eve.
Go to therapy. Even if you feel that you’ve hit a good stride, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your therapist if you feel yourself slipping into old habits. The change in time and weather tends to trigger people the most so it’s always a good idea to have a check in.
Surround yourself with people who love and care about you. The holiday season can be tough on those who may have lost a loved one and this is their first Thanksgiving/Christmas without them. Be around people are who going to support you and lift you up. Schedule a wine or game night or throw a holiday gathering with your closet friends. These is nothing better then being around good people with great energy.
A lot of these tips are things that I have mentioned in past newsletters or articles, but I can’t say enough how helpful they are. It’s easy to come from work and lose all motivation to be productive because it’s super dark outside. You don’t want to do anything and all that free time allows your mind to form all sorts of crazy thoughts and emotions. I felt myself slipping into that same pattern and I decided I didn’t want to be in that rut this year. I’m working at it everyday to stay in this positive light and while it’s not easy, it’s made a significant difference in how I’m approaching this season.
It’s going to get better, I promise. In the meantime, take care of yourself. Be gentle and don’t hesitate to put yourself first.
Feel free to reach out to me via instagram at nique_22 or email us at hello@wearethe94percent.com if you would like to discuss this further. I’m always happy to help.
