The winter months can exacerbate feelings of isolation and low mood, prompting a crucial self-assessment to differentiate between simple winter blues and a more serious depressive episode. Discover how to identify your needs and find effective strategies, from professional medical intervention to vital self-care practices, to navigate this challenging season with hope and support.
Winter is a challenging month for many reasons. For one, it is simply too cold. Due to the frigid weather outside, it can be hard to leave your house. We often think, “Why go outside when everything I need is right here?” While this is logical, sometimes staying at home all the time during the winter months is a sign of depression.
Every year around winter, my depression gets worse. It typically occurs after the Christmas season is over and the new year has begun. The splendor of Christmas has vanished, and everyone has returned to their daily lives. There is no family visiting or fun activities planned for the weekend. Therefore, we opt to stay home during the winter months.
At these times, we need to be honest with ourselves and assess the situation. Ask yourself, “How am I doing mentally?” Are we staying at home because we are doing the things we want, or are we staying at home because we are depressed? By answering this question truthfully, we can help ourselves get the support we need.
Assessing the Need for Medical Intervention
On the one hand, if we find that we are simply staying at home because it is something we enjoy doing and we are still socially connected to others, going to work, and engaging in our normal daily activities, then I wouldn't say this is something to be concerned about. On the other hand, if we are discovering that we are staying at home and isolating ourselves because we are deeply depressed, then we need to reach out for the support that we need in the form of doctors and therapists. Some people get the winter blues; however, other people suffer from depressive episodes. It is one thing to be sad that Christmas is over, and it is another thing to be depressed to the point that you no longer see meaning in life.
I've been on both ends of this spectrum, and it can be extremely difficult for either side. Feeling sad over the ending of Christmas is challenging because Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Many people like to downplay those who are unhappy that Christmas is over, but being sad about the ending of Christmas is nothing to be ashamed of. It is normal to miss the festivities, the time with loved ones, and the celebration of Jesus.
Being depressed to the point of seeing no meaning in life anymore is something to bring up to your primary care doctor. I had to eventually break and talk with my primary care doctor about how I was feeling, and to this day, I have yearly depression screenings to see how I'm doing in the winter. If you are afraid of talking to your doctor about your depression, know that there is nothing to be scared of. Professional and skilled doctors will be kind, caring, and supportive. My primary care doctor referred me to a therapist and started me on antidepressants.
Helping Yourself Through Self-Care
In addition to getting the proper medical care that you may need for any depression or worsening winter blues, it is also important to help yourself. This means engaging in self-care, such as going for daily walks, setting boundaries with people in your life, trying a new hobby, or spending more time with friends. Consider what boosts your mood and make it a daily habit. It is essential to engage in self-care daily, as it naturally helps us feel better.
For many of us who struggle with depression or the winter blues, we often think that we don't matter, and we don't deserve anything good. Each day we choose to engage in self-care goes against this type of thinking and weakens the negative voices. We must continue to fight against the negative voices in our minds and nourish our thoughts with encouraging, hopeful, and supportive ideas. This will keep our minds in a healthy place. Positive thinking will not heal depression; however, it can help to rewrite the script and stop thinking so badly of ourselves.
Depression needs the proper treatment in the form of medical professionals, such as doctors and therapists, to get better. We should take the steps to fight back against depression, but without the proper medication and therapy, it will be hard to cope with depression, even a milder form. As Christ followers, we need to know that it is okay to be on medication. We also need to recognize that it is OK to take time for self-care, even if we might not see it as being productive. Anything that we do to help ourselves is genuinely productive.
Not Being Afraid to Ask for Help
This brings us to the understanding that we don't need to be afraid to ask for help. Coping with the winter blues or depression will require us to ask for help. We need to reject the idea that we are needy if we need to ask for help. We all need help, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Asking for help requires bravery, as it is easier to keep quiet than to open up to others.
Trying to manage our winter blues on our own will prove problematic because it will only worsen. I tried to manage the flare-up of my depression last winter by myself, and it didn't do me any good. It only made matters worse. This is why we need to reach out for help and seek support from our primary care doctor, a therapist, and our loved ones. We also don't need to forget to turn to God and cast out burdens on Him when we are struggling with depression or the winter blues (1 Peter 5:7).
Jesus Understands
We can do this because Jesus understands the pain we are going through. He knows what it feels like to be in pain, to cry, and to feel downcast (John 11:35). The winter blues or depression that you are experiencing is not foreign to God. Bring them all to Him and ask Him for His help. You will find that He will wrap you in His indescribable love and peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
The Bible tells us, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5). We need to echo these exact words and continue to praise God and find hope in Him despite the winter blues that are so prevalent in our hearts. Look to God and find comfort in knowing that He understands everything that you are going through.
By knowing this truth, we can help face the toughest of days. We are not alone in this battle as the Lord is always fighting for us (Exodus 14:14). Talk with Him about your struggles and lean on Him for support. Study the Bible and allow it to fill your heart with hope this winter. The days may be dark, but Spring is coming and the sun will shine again.
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