Deeper Understandings:
Winter Blues, or Something More?
Maybe you’re thinking “Now what?” as the hustle of the holidays come to a close. Perhaps you lack motivation and dread your return to work and school. Or is there a sense of loneliness and feelings of isolation? You might be experiencing the “winter blues.” But, what if these “blues” begin before the holidays and continue on until the spring? This experience could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a clinical diagnosis that includes feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of energy, changes in sleep and appetite, etc. These symptoms interfere with one's normal daily functioning and usually occur during the fall and winter months when the amount of daily sunlight decreases.
How can you care for yourself during this time of year, whether you are experiencing “winter blues” or SAD?
Speak with your primary care provider or mental health therapist
Find some light!
Boost your serotonin levels through soaking up those morning sun rays (even if overcast)
Speak with your primary care physician about investing in a light therapy lamp.
Continually connect with loved ones and community
Be intentional and schedule time with loved ones
Phone or video call with long distance family and friends
Volunteer or take part in neighborhood activities
Pay attention to your general wellness and do things that help you get back into a healthy rhythm
New Year Resolution: Body Neutrality
According to Forbes Health, the top five new year resolutions are...
Improve fitness
Improve finances
Improve mental health
Lose weight
Improve diet.
Notice a trend? Three of the five focus on physical health. While these goals are not inherently harmful, the pervasive diet culture that surrounds them is. Diet culture can lead to shame, viewing certain foods as “good” or “bad”, compulsive exercise or restrictive eating, etc. “Body positivity,” the concept of promoting the acceptance of all body sizes and shapes, made attempts to rectify this societal belief. However, critics of the movement suggest this message has since been coopted by the fitness and wellness industry and continues to focus on body transformation and improvement.
Body neutrality recognizes that...
We will not always love our body
It’s okay to not always have love for our body
So what are some ways you can begin incorporating body neutrality in your home?
Mindfully and non-judgmentally observe when you notice yourself criticizing your body. Reframe this thought to ask what is your body doing for you at that moment
Wear clothing that is comfortable. Clothes are made to fit your body. Your body is not made to fit clothes
Drop body talk from your conversations, with others and with yourself
Come up with non-weight focused new year resolutions
Use journaling or writing prompts to build a habit of focusing on function rather than appearance
