Social distancing, working/studying from home, and quarantining are no longer new ideas to us. But as the weather changes and the new year approaches, self-care can start to look a little different for some people—especially for those who are familiar with seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Here are some tips on how to best take care of yourself during the upcoming holiday and winter season.

  • Wake up at a normal time. It can be so very tempting to sleep in when the weather gets colder, but staying in bed won’t necessarily make you feel better. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible—even when you don’t have to commute in the morning. Not only is this good for your internal clock, but it can help keep your immune system strong which is more important than ever these days.
  • Try new apps for sleep therapy or meditation. If one reason you find yourself waking up later and later (or taking naps in the middle of the day) is because you couldn’t fall asleep thanks to anxiety-brain, then download an app or two to help you relax. There are a lot of apps that focus on white noise, “sleep stories”, ASMR, and meditation practice to make you feel ready to fall asleep. You can also find a variety of YouTube channels dedicated to sleep therapy.
  • Seek natural light. And if you haven’t got natural light, artificial light can be helpful, too. Lack of light is one big issue that contributes to SAD, so do yourself a huge favor by keeping the lights on your house and going outside whenever possible to boost your mood. Additionally, there are therapeutic light boxes you can purchase if you live in a place that gets exceptionally dark.
  • Take regular walks. This is on a lot of “self care during social distancing” lists for a reason. Walking is a great form of exercise that will also provide you with some sun exposure and get you out of the house safely. Remember to take a mask with you if you will be walking in an area where you can’t keep a distance of six feet or more from others.
  • Keep your room and house tidy. When we aren’t feeling our best selves, it can be difficult to keep up with chores like putting things away. But studies show that when an indoor environment is organized and free of clutter, you will be able to focus better and feel less stressed. 
  • Find a hobby. Everyone you know has probably told you to get a hobby over the last several months. Maybe you already have. But challenge yourself to try something new during the holiday season to keep your brain active and engaged.
  • Drink that water! Hydration is important any time of year, but we can forget about it if we are feeling depressed. Make time to stay hydrated, and be sure to hydrate your skin with good lotion as well—the epidermis can also suffer from dryness during the winter months.
  • Try new recipes that will help you eat well. With services like Grubhub and Doordash at our fingertips, it’s all too easy to order from your favorite restaurant. And while supporting local businesses is important, so is eating well. Balance your take-out with fresh home-cooked food that will be a natural mood-boost. Even if you don’t love to cook, the internet is full of easy recipes that anyone can try. Maybe this will be your new hobby…
  • Find community. Look for a sense of community in virtual places you haven’t already during the last few months, be it church services online or playing video games with your friends.
  • Switch up your friend activities. By now, everyone has tried Netflix Party, playing Among Us, and a variety of other activities with their friend group. You may be feeling a some fatigue here, so try something new for your next virtual get-together like adding a bingo component to watching bad Christmas movies.
  • Be kind to yourself, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. If you are struggling with depression, fatigue, or just frustration at the state of the world, don’t feel bad about reaching out to family, friends, and professionals who can help during this difficult time.