Dealing with the Winter Blahs
by Alexandra Windsong, December 2008, revised January 2010
©2008, 2010 All Rights Reserved, Alexandra Windsong

The halls have been decked, the turkeys eaten and the New Year rung in. You've just spent the last six weeks, or more, shopping, eating, decorating, celebrating and visiting the family. You've been busy. You've been active. And even if you didn't always feel like it, you pushed on. You've been connecting with family and friends. You've been enjoying yourself, or maybe you haven't. But either way, you found a way to make it through and get everything done that needs to be done. And then after all that hustle and bustle, you hit the brick wall.

You know what I'm talking about. You don't feel like going anywhere or doing anything. It's cold. It's often gray and dreary outside. And if it's snowy or icy, you can just forget it. All you want to do is curl up in a nice warm ball and hibernate until spring.

Part of this slow down and desire to 'hibernate' is natural and quite normal. That is exactly what nature is doing after all -- resting, slowing down, hibernating to varying degrees. It is our nature to be affected by nature, and this includes the change of the seasons. And like it or not, we are tied to the same natural cycles and rhythms as every other living thing on the planet. As the days get shorter and colder, our bodies respond to these changes in a predictable way, telling us that it is time to slow down, to conserve energy, to rest. But in a world that values doing, doing, doing, slowing down can sometimes be problematic.

So what do you do, when you find yourself feeling this way? Well it depends on how you are affected by it. As I said before, part of this desire to slow down is normal. One approach is to embrace the slow down. Who says you have to go full tilt 365 days a year? It's okay, not to be running full tilt every single day, or to 'be social' all the time. It's okay to take some time out, to want to spend some time at home, by yourself or with your loved ones.

If you're feeling more reclusive, less inclined to leave the comfort and warmth of your home, then take advantage of this time to be more introspective, to spend time doing things in your home, catching up on your reading, quilting, sewing, organizing that closet you've been meaning to get to, meditating, learning that new software program. You get the idea. A friend of mine who is an avid gardener, spends these winter months when she can't be out and active in her garden and doesn't feel inclined to leave the comforts of her home, poring over her seed catalogs, planning what she will plant in her flower and vegetable gardens come spring. It's her time to plan and dream -- time she values.

But what if it goes beyond wanting to spend more time at home being a bit of a hermit, or just sleeping a little bit more, okay maybe a lot more? What if it turns into a case of the winter blues, or the winter blahs as I call them and you just feel blah? One of the things I find helpful is awareness. For me, simply understanding what is happening and why I feel the way I do around this time of year makes it much easier to deal with. And knowing what is happening can help you make changes that can help you get through winter blahs.

Many people who are affected by these seasonal changes find that spending more time out in the sunlight can be helpful. I know I do. A little sunshine always lifts my mood. Physical exercise* can also be beneficial. Not only is it a good way to get your energy moving, it also gets those positive mood enhancers pumping which naturally elevate one's mood. You can use other tools as well to help shift your energy and your attitude if needed -- energy work, for example, to help rebalance your energy, and flower essences** such as Borage for lifting the heart, St. John's Wort for circulating light within the energy bodies, Mustard for hope in the midst of depression, and Peppermint for mental alertness just to name a few.

And what if your reaction to these seasonal changes goes beyond a mild case of the winter blues or just feeling a little blah? While you may still find some of the above suggestions helpful, when depression, lethargy and apathy become so severe as to be debilitating, affecting your ability to function on a daily basis, it may be necessary to consult a licensed healthcare professional for appropriate medical or psychological care.

-----
  *You should consult with a doctor before beginning any exercise program.
**Flower essences are best selected with the help of a qualified flower essence practitioner to ensure you are selecting the essences that are most appropriate for you as an individual. For more information about this healing modality, click here. Flower essences are not intended to replace appropriate medical or psychological care by a licensed health care professional.

Please note: The information provided above is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. You should consult a licensed healthcare professional for any medical or psychological condition you may have.

Alexandra Windsong has been a flower essence practitioner since 1996. Alexandra is also a gifted healer and intuitive. For more information about Alexandra Windsong, click here.

Back to Article Index

©2008, 2010 Alexandra Windsong, All Rights Reserved.