Don’t Fear your Winter Blues
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Winter moves into our homes before we’re ready. The days get shorter, the nights get colder & our drive for the day plummets. The body’s shift into hibernation mode is human yet we fight it. We punish ourselves for struggling to keep up with the pace of warmer days, we tense when we need to say no, we fear slowness & shame our winter capacity. The pain isn't inherit in the season, it’s caused by our tense reaction to the demands of winter.
So what if you lent into the winter months ~ allowed your bed to hold you, your jumpers to warm you & your home to call you inwards?
If this question brought up narratives of "I can't just stop, hello who is going to get it done?", "I need to keep up to get paid!"… I hear you. The offering doesn’t require you to hit the brakes (although if you want to go for it) it’s an offering to shift gears. Check your mindset for winter, set your intentions & adjust the way you move during the colder months by accepting that your body will inevitably slow. If you shame yourself, you're going to feel low, if you guilt or punish yourself your self-worth is going to take a hit. So, check your inner monologue & adjust your perspective.
You are not “failing” by slowing down.
The season is slowing us down so how can you respond to that with compassion & patience for self? Is it possible to allow yourself to show up as you are? Maybe, take the kids to their winter sport in a hoodie with a hot tea & let yourself snuggle up in the corner with a book. Maybe the family will be chilly & struggle to get outside, if that makes you late, can you be patient with that? Maybe you will be sleepy in the mornings so the AM at work may be less productive, can you offer yourself comfort during the AM, can you put a little less on your plate?
My perspective; winter isn't about combating your blues & doing the most… Winter is about surrendering to the needs of your body by allowing yourself to be flexible, responding to all parts of yourself with compassion & leaning with purpose into nourishment.
How can the power of your body guide you through your winter blues?
Our bodies tell us what we need, it's our job to listen & respond.
We know our immune systems take a hit during winter, so we are proactive with immunity boosting food, drink, vitamins. Your mental health can be treated with the same kind of proactive care. If you know your mind and emotions become more sluggish & emotional during the winter months, create space –where you can in your timetable– to slow it all the way down knowing you will benefit.
How can you proactively care for your mind during winter?
Your body will flag your emotions often before you register, be aware of an increase in tensions, fatigue & meet your body with compassion, & care.
How can your routines provide an anchor through the emotional iciness of winter?
The desires of winter hold deep nourishing pleasure for the mind, body, & soul. This feeling of pleasure creates space for the winter ice to exist without you fighting it. Interweave pleasure into your routines, pleasure decreases tension in the body & increases your sense of enjoyment. Examples: Eat nourishing bowls of soup, snuggle up in front of the heater, read your books & minimize your social calendar.
It takes discipline to dedicate energy & time to pleasure & enjoyment, you deserve all of it.
Do you need extra support during winter? Reach out! I offer;
Individual psychotherapy out of Realign & through telehealth (subsidized by certain health funds: AHM, ARHG, Medibank, Bupa & HCF). I’m also a registered Victims Services counsellor.
Harness Your Body will run in July & August. A group workshop where we tap out of our minds & into our bodies. We focus on processing our pains through somatic movement, guided meditation & visualization while grooving to an ambient DJ set! (I can also bring this workshop to you ~ if you have a cohort of people in mind who would love this reach out!)
Harness Your Emotions a workshop I can bring to you! If you have a cohort of people who need support Harness their winter blues, anxiety, depression & more this is the workshop for you!
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Warmly, Alicia
Email: alicia@powerfully-human.com
Instagram: @powerfullyhumanpsychotherapy
