Seasonal Blues and Self-Care
Unpopular opinion: you don’t always need to “earn” a break.
Especially if you're already working two jobs, a full-time graduate student, co-chair of the school PTO, and training for a triathalon. We’ve become so accustomed to wearing the many hats that we wear, that subconsciously for some there’s an outdated expectation for us to complete the neverending to-do list every single day before we feel worthy of taking a break.
For those who suffer from the seasonal blues, self-care is something that needs to be prioritized even higher during this time of year. Between the upcoming holiday season and the circadian rhythm adjustment to daylight savings time, I strongly encourage all of my clients to be generous with the rest they take and how intentional they are in doing so.
Here are some of my favorite self-care tips for the seasonal blues:
Practice mindfulness and the five senses. What’s your favorite warm beverage? Your favorite scented candle? Find a pair of cozy socks or your favorite hoodie. What music do you like to listen to when you're in a vibey mood? What’s your comfort TV show?
Connect with a friend. Notice how I said connect, not call. Assess your emotional capacity before reaching out to a friend that may have crossed your mind. It’s okay to tell a friend that you don’t have the energy to talk but hope that they’re doing okay.
Journal! If you know me in any capacity, you know I love a good journaling session. Make time to express your thoughts whenever you're feeling overstimulated, uninspired, or overwhelmed with emotion, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.
Maintain a balanced diet and get adequate rest. You’re already fighting against odds that you can’t control ( daylight savings, cold weather, external stressors) so pour into yourself and prioritize eating better and sleeping more. If you're reading this and the thought of salads and meal planning stresses you out, just commit to making better choices and eating things that don’t make you feel sluggish.
Above all else, if any of these tips feel overwhelming to do, then rest first. Most likely your body “earned” its break long ago and you didn’t pay attention.