It’s no longer winter
Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalms 42: 5
If you were to ask me, I’d tell you the best thing about winter is when it’s over. I despise the cold, I hate that the sun spends so much time hiding, and I do not enjoy being stuck at home when it snows or the roads are icy. These are all signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder which I have battled for as long as I can remember. Some years I feel it worse than others but I can almost guarantee that once the time changes in the fall, I’m going to start experiencing some signs of depression. As someone who has walked through many seasons of various depths of depression, I’ve learned a few things about how I can manage it with a little more grace and not let the battle in my mind steal my joy. I’d like to share with you what I’ve found helps get me through these times.
First of all: Be Intentional
I’m very aware of when I tend to sink into my winter blues. I have to be very intentional about continuing my routines, planning activities, and spending time with family and friends. I know without a doubt that isolation is the worst thing I can do for myself.
Keep going to church.
Don’t cancel dinner plans.
Show up for your holiday get-togethers.
Second: Take Care of Yourself
When I take better care of my body I am more likely to feel better. I’m not always great at this part, but when I work at it I can tell a difference.
Drink enough water.
Eat proper nutrition.
Go for walks or exercise.
Get outside in the sun (sun lamps are great alternatives for when you can’t be outside).
Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to rest, as well.
Remember when Elijah was depressed and wanted to die(1 Kings 19), he took a nap and ate a snack!
Third: Feed your mind and spirit.
No matter how you feel, spend time with the Lord. If you can’t pray, ask others to pray. If you can’t dig deep into the Word, pick one verse to meditate on.
Listen to worship music.
Read encouraging books.
Work on your favorite hobby.
Lastly: Practice Gratitude
It takes a LOT of practice to train your mind to look for the positives but it is possible. Keep a gratitude journal if you need to. Start with three victories in your day. If you can’t do three, find one. Continue to grow from there. Remember it is okay to slow down and not overwhelm your schedule. It’s perfectly acceptable to say no. Give yourself grace upon grace upon grace. There are going to be days that are harder than others. That doesn’t mean you’re not still fighting and winning!
There are many times in our life that we can experience “winter.” It could actually be gloomy and cold outside for months or it may be a time of the year that brings back traumatic memories or it could be brought on by stress, fear, or anxiety. Whatever the case may be, it’s crucial that we know God is with us in the midst of it all. There’s a song that says, “In this wasteland where I’m living there is a crack in the door filled with light, and it’s all I need to get by…oh, if God is on my side, who can be against me?” Even on the really hard days, don’t let your hope die because there is ALWAYS hope if we’re a daughter of the King!
(Disclaimer: I am not a medical or mental health professional. I’m just a God girl who fights with my own mind sometimes and these are things I’ve found to help me. Please seek out professional help if you need to.)