INTERESTING
As a native New Englander, I know as well as anyone how long and arduous the winter season in Rhode Island can be. There are many who revel in frigid winter days and nights, flannels and hot cocoa, skiing and ice skating. I however, find myself dreaming of warmer days, and feeling sluggish and unmotivated as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. This is a real phenomenon, with many people experiencing a shift in mood during the winter months.
There are many factors presumably leading to this overall negative or “down” feeling in the colder months. These include dips in serotonin and melatonin due in part to less sunlight, or disruptions to our internal clock mechanism called the circadian rhythm. Other evidence suggests weight gain over the winter holidays can have a negative impact on self-worth and self-esteem, as well as affect energy levels and sleep patterns. Others yet feel the pressures of the holiday season cause unnecessary stress and financial burden, which impacts daily thought processes and motivation. Whatever the cause, I know I am not alone in feeling overall doom and gloom much more frequently during the winter months compared to the warm summer ones.
Recognizing the feeling of the winter blues is often the most important step in making changes to overcome them. You may have trouble sleeping, difficulty taking initiative, or find yourself feeling less social. You may also find you are sleeping too much, overeating too frequently, or losing interest and withdrawing from family and friends. Always seek care from you clinician if the feelings ever become overwhelming, or you have any other symptoms that are abnormal for you. You may be suffering from a more serious form of the winter blues called Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can be treated with medications or counseling if necessary.
So how do we overcome the winter blues? Simple subtle changes can have a big impact on mood and energy levels during this time of year. Exercise and eat right. Spend time outdoors in the sunshine when you can. Make time for activities that you enjoy. Spend time with family and friends. And again, trust your intuition and seek medical care if you feel something just isn’t right.
As I write this, it’s a sunny, balmy 59 degrees outside. Daylight savings is just around the corner, and the days are already getting longer. It won’t be long until we will be enjoying all that Rhode Island and New England has to offer on nice warm sunny days and nights.
