This blog was written by Sarah Nonnenmacher, LPC, CEDS, one of our therapists at Bamboo Nutrition & Therapy.
A few tips to hold onto mental wellness this winter
Between the headlines and the thermostat bill, many of us feel the urge to pull the covers over our heads and stay in bed for another….three months or so.
Roll with it.
Contrary to our capitalist, productivity-oriented culture, our bodies and minds aren’t meant to constantly be on the go.
For many, winter can be a time of slowing down, turning inward, reflecting on the highs and lows of the old year, anticipating dreams and setting intentions for the new.
When we have the same standards of productivity for ourselves year-round without accounting for our body’s natural ebb and flow, we set ourselves up for burn-out.
So if you find yourself feeling sleepy when the sun goes down, don’t fight it.
Grab a good book and a cozy blanket, pick up that crafting hobby, write a letter (the old-fashioned way) to a friend.
Let winter be winter, and enjoy.
Find movement you enjoy.
Even though our expectations for activity should adjust this time of year, we still want to recognize how essential movement is for physical and mental health.
Do you struggle to get to the gym or follow through on those home work-outs? Find a sport that’s truly fun, and grab a friend to come along with you.
Bundle up and enjoy a hike in the snow, or try a new class through your local rec center. Don’t try to hold yourself to too high a standard; just prioritize fun activity somewhere in the rhythm of your week.
Stay off social media.
Really truly.
Amid the panic-driving deluge of misinformation, media bias, and hot takes from people we thought we knew, is time on social media really worth it?
Remember that these engines are designed specifically to monetize your fear and anger: the more angry or scared you are, the more time you spend scrolling and the more money is made from sponsored material.
Our nervous systems were simply never intended to be exposed to trauma so far beyond our personal sphere of influence, and the urge to override that sense of helplessness by scrolling or posting only continues to fuel the fire.
Some alternatives the next time you find yourself doom-scrolling: text a friend, read an online comic, play a game on your phone, learn to knit or crochet, write a poem, listen to music while painting with watercolor, stretch, re-watch a favorite old tv show. Please, stay off social media.
Stay warm and well this winter!
Let’s check in.
How is your mental health this winter?
If the above ideas seem important, but are not something you are successful at implementing, or you feel there is more to your winter wellness than what was suggested above, 1:1 therapy could be another option to explore.
Our therapists support individuals with seasonal anxiety and depression. One thing we love to strive for at Bamboo Nutrition & Therapy is helping our clients achieve a sense of independence, confidence and graduate from individual therapy.
Therapy doesn’t mean lifelong sessions, 1 hour per week. It can look like support through a season, check-ins a few times per quarter or year, or even short-term work and you can always reach out again in the future if needed!
We’d love to help you through this season of life and give you the tools and clarity you need to survive these times with confidence and success!