Back in November I wrote about Seasonal Affective Disorder and I thought it would be good to check in to see how the managing of that is going for everyone!

I noticed that December seemed to go well because a lot of people were distracted by the holidays. All the excitement of celebrations, Christmas lights, and fun was helping to keep moods uplifted and more positive. Doing social things is a big help for depression in general so I think during the holidays if we have friends and family gatherings it really does help our mood.

I think January hits some of us hard. I have noticed in the last week or so, more people are feeling more depressive type of feelings and having low mood challenges. I think as we come out of the holidays there are several factors that contribute to this. First, our schedules are usually disrupted the last 2 weeks of December and we fall out of healthy rhythms and routines that were helping us. Next, there can be a fatigue that comes during the holidays and January is a time where our body is trying to regulate and recover from the extras. I also find that the weather factors into this, and so far this year has been bleak. There is lots of rain and cold dark days but not a lot of snow. For some of us snow is a mood booster because we can go skiing, sledding, or snow shoeing and maintain some sense of being outdoors. This particular winter here in Maine anyways has seemed bleak.

I say all this to say if you have noticed that things are feeling ‘harder’ the past 2 weeks, you are not alone.

Finding some things to help you unwind can be harder this time of year so I thought sharing some things that I have found helpful might be a good idea.

Find a new hobby! Or head back to an old one that worked in the past. For me I found a new love for an old hobby in puzzling. I picked out a puzzle of a gorgeous gardening shed, I wanted something that would remind me of the summer I was missing. It has been nice to have a puzzle area set up in the corner of my office. It is quiet, and peaceful so I put on some soft worship music and spend a few minutes even just 10-15 once a day or twice, just to relax and put together this puzzle. I have found this helpful because it is engaging my mind in something and also my hands in moving the pieces etc. Incorporating both brain and body into an activity activates and engages both sides of our brain. It has proven to be relaxing!

Warm drinks! I love getting a cozy mug and making myself a coffee, late or tea then sitting down to read or relax. I find that doing this once a day really helps me recharge my batteries. Sometimes I will go online and find a new recipe for a drink to try, anything to help me feel like its new. I find even going out to meet a friend for coffee helps me too.

Baking with a purpose! I love to garden, and living here in Maine means I have to adjust my creative desire to garden a bit. I find getting some indoor house plants definitely helps me. But this winter I have taken on the task of creating and making Gluten-free sourdough bread and bagels. I got diagnosed with celiac disease 15 years ago and have had to live gluten free for a long time. I find myself trying to bake more and incorporate healthier choices into our home. The bread baking has become so fun! I really like being able to feed our family and also share loaves of bread with friends who also have celiac disease. There is quite nothing else like a loaf of fresh baked bread! Sharing it with others also helps me feel happy, this helps ignite that creative in me and also giving home made gifts makes me smile.

Romans 12:9-10 tells us to ‘Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” This is a good reminder of how we can use our talents to show each other love and encourage one another. As I continue to battle those winter blues I remember that I can use my gift of creating to make others smile and honor the Lord in the work I am doing. It does not completely take away the depression, but it does help decrease it. It does make it manageable, and for that I am glad!

How are you battling those winter blues?