As The Days Get Shorter and Darker
Creating a Cold Season Self-Care Routine
Here is a brief list of tips for self-care during the darker and colder season. Especially for those who struggle with S.A.D.
Self Care is a Sanity Saver. It is important to put mental wellness and self-care tools in our toolbox and routine. Remember the importance of putting on one’s own oxygen mask first.
Change the lighting + Soak Up Natural Light
Cozy Clothes
Comfort Foods but Make it a priority to fuel your body with nourishing foods throughout the day.
Prioritize rest~ Adequate sleep is essential for physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.
“Me Time” Is not selfish, it is important. You are worth it!!
Cultivate mindfulness
Mediate, Focus on your breathing.
Prioritize hydration~ Drinking plenty of water or herbal teas will prevent dehydration and the side effects (fatigue, headaches etc.) Some days I may have to make myself a cup of nice herbal tea to help calm my mind and body. If you are interested I will follow up on this post to write about some of my favorite herbal teas. Just leave a comment and say "Tell me about your favorite teas!"
Maintain a regular daily routine, I find structure and routine are very important to my mood.
I tend to get stressed more than usual if I do not have some time during each day where there is no noise. Where I can just sit and breathe. Just soak up some quiet. I consider this practice very important to self care. It is a sanity saver for me. I'm sure you've seen the joke about women being like a computer with a thousand tabs open in their brain? Well trying to close some of those tabs and shut off the noise in the mind and in my environment are important.
“Take time to be quiet.” – Zig Ziglar
If you are unable to overcome these feelings of sadness or depression on your own please reach out to a professional. PLEASE do not suffer alone in silence. This is actually a pretty common struggle for so many people. No one should have to suffer alone.
NAMI HelpLine M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).