How To Beat the Winter Blues When You Are Grieving
Winter and grief are not unalike.
Both are cold, stark, unfeeling, and dark. Combine them, and the winter blues can feel absolutely desolate. Motivation dwindles, and it’s difficult to find energy for even the everyday things. Here are a few strategies to combat the winter blues while grieving:
• Since the weather outside is frightful… start that list of indoor projects that you have been meaning to get to: home improvements, closet cleanings, mending, and organization. Once you have your list together, start working through it, one item at a time. As you work through it and can check things off your list, the dopamine response that is created will not only lift your mood, but will likely inspire and motivate you to keep working through your list
• Sign up for some virtual courses or events that are of interest. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is definitely the availability of online education. Find something fun or meaningful to you to study and learn about. (Might we recommend a beginner’s cell phone photography course? This has a dual positive effect, in that not only do you learn some new skills, you can then put your new skills into practical use outside, and possibly even ENJOY winter a little bit.)
• Help someone else. When we are sad and grieving, we can often have blinders to the needs and pain of others. It can be as simple as shoveling an elderly neighbour’s driveway, or even signing up as a regular volunteer for a charity or organization that is in need. Just THINK of the dopamine!
We live in a world of very long winters; they are a challenge even without grief. Together, the winter blues and grief can feel hopeless and overwhelming, but there are practical ways to try to make things a little more gentle. We hope these ideas are helpful, and will encourage you to create a few more.
