How to Cope With The Winter Blues

The winter can be a very difficult season for a lot of people, especially in Ohio where we often don’t see the sun for weeks.  Post-holiday bills, gray skies, and cold winds are enough to make a person want to hibernate until the springtime.  In dealing with seasonal affective disorder or just the winter blues remember that coping skills are your best friend. We can’t change the fact that the sky is overcast or the snow is coming down, but we can cope with our feelings of sadness or depression. Below I am going to list a few helpful ways you can cope with the winter blues. Especially if you are reading this during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are in for an especially hard winter. 

• First exercise is your secret weapon. Exercise is one of the best coping skills you can use. It makes you feel good, gives you endorphins and helps you to regulate your mood. If you live in the Akron area, going on hikes in the CVNP is an amazing way to exercise. 
• Second, talking to friends or family can help you to feel less alone and give you a boost. Happiness research shows that community and friendship is one of the most important factors in our happiness. We need other people, even if it is a phone call or a zoom call we can still connect virtually and have meaningful interactions.
• Third, go to therapy. I know it seems like a no brainer, but if you are prone to feeling depressed during the winter months make sure you are in weekly therapy with a therapist who you trust. Some seasons we need a little more support than others. 
• Fourth, make a list of “winter goals” and check them off. Goal setting is another amazing way to boost happiness, by setting small meaningful goals you can boost your happiness and give yourself meaning and purpose. Setting small meaningful goals is called “logotherapy” and it is a method created by Victor Frankl. If you want to know more about his method and read an amazing story read his book “Man’s Search For Meaning“. 

These suggestions will not change the overcast skies or the cold temperature, but hopefully they will help you to feel more positive and in control of your mood. 

If you have persistent depressed mood due to the challenge weather and being inside, please reach out to me.

Counseling for College Students in Akron, OH

As a therapist who works primarily with young adults,  I understand campus life better than most private practice therapists.  I have experience helping other young adults navigate the stressful college years and I enjoy counseling college students.  I see a variety of people in my Akron, Ohio counseling office. I treat people with depression, anxiety, religious trauma and gender dysphoria.  Still have questions? Get answers to common questions about counseling here or simply schedule a counseling session today to get started!