Surviving Winter and Depression

I find the harsh winter weather we’ve been having tends to exacerbate my depression symptoms. The shorter days and winter weather leave me feeling depleted. Looking out my window, there is a sea of white. Everywhere I go there are piles of snow and ice. I am tired of bundling up in a long coat and snow boots just to go outside. I am tired of the cold. I want to hibernate until spring. But hibernation isn’t the answer to surviving winter and depression.

Effects of Winter on Depression

The shorter days and harsher weather of winter make me feel like staying in where it’s warm. Sometimes this leads to reduced social contact and isolation. This can be a depression trigger since social support and contact is so important for helping to manage and keep depression at bay.

Staying in due to weather also means my gym routine tends to slip by the wayside in colder months. And cold weather means I’m less likely to take a walk outside. Lack of exercise can negatively affect mood.

I also find that cold weather can encourage me to turn more to comfort foods and to reduce the amount of fruits and vegetables that I eat. And an unhealthy diet can affect depression. I’m finding it a challenge to eat healthy lately.

The winter months can be challenging, no doubt, especially for those of us prone to depression. What helps?

Exercise and Depression

One area that I have found that helps with depression is exercise. And the good news is that I have found that even a little bit can help when it comes to mood. When I am indoors most of the day, a quick, 10 minute walk outside can help wake me up and help head off a depression. Being out in the sun helps too, even when the weather is cold.

Social Contact and Depression

Winter and the cold can mean fighting the urge to isolate. And social support can be a buffer to depression. Though it can be tempting to cancel plans when the weather is cold, social connection can go a long way toward buoying mood. I have found that even when I don’t have specific plans, just being out among other people can help.

Surviving Winter and Depression

We are not alone in our depressions worsening because of winter. Winter, with its short days, darkness and cold, can be hard on most. Many of us are looking forward to the return of longer days and more mild weather. And soon enough it will be here.

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