You’ve probably heard that January is the month of the year when most people suffer from the winter blues. New research also proved that a whopping fifty percent of women are more likely to suffer from it more than men, and will likely compensate those feelings with food. So much for our New Year’s resolutions.

I’ve personally struggled with depression in the past and most recently with generalised anxiety disorder, as I wrote a few months ago, and this time of the year can be pretty rough on me. I can definitely feel the lack of natural light starting to have its impact on my mood, especially by the end of each week when I can only think of the weekend. Do you feel this way as well?

Whilst I’ve come a long way learning how to fight my own demons, there’s still a few things that I’ve learned during cognitive behavioural therapy that I still incorporate in my day-to-day life.
Most importantly remember that nothing works out if you don’t mindfully commit to change the way your thoughts and/or emotions work. Remember the winter blues will only get you if you let them and you’re strong enough to kick them in the ass.

1. Stay positive

This may sound cliché but it’s just the best advice of all time, and it also applies to every situation. Focus on the silver linings and try to shift your focus of attention to the positive side of things instead of dwelling on depressive, negative thoughts.

2. Keep a gratitude journal

You can either actually write down all the little things that made you happy at the end of each day, or when you’re in bed try to revisit those positive moments in your day. You’ll wake up a little bit happier on the next day, and sleep better as your day ended with a positive note, instead of feeling sorry for yourself.

3. Plan your next holiday

Whilst it might be raining cats and dogs and you haven’t seen daylight in ages, why not start planning your next getaway? Grab your calendar and pencil in a weekend away or your summer holidays, or both if you’re lucky enough. Keeping positive things in the horizon will help get you through winter, while researching about new places and things to do will get you daydreaming of better days.

4. Three simple things

This one is a sacred rule that I’ve happily adopted from CBT. You must set 3 different goals for yourself that you do each single day: do one thing that gives you a sense of accomplishment, do one thing that relaxes you and do one thing that you enjoy. This will make your days much more worthwhile even if you’ve got a dark cloud hanging above your head.

5. Treat yourself

I’m not talking about going on a crazy junk food binge, but treating yourself like you’d treat your own child. Nurture yourself with nourishing, healthy food every day, draw yourself a bubble bath once in a while, get a new haircut, buy that jacket you always wanted to have, light some candles in the evenings and relax, and, if possible, allow for some days where you can clear your schedule from tasks that will stress you out.

What do you do to shake off those gloomy feelings? Hope these tips help you somehow!

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