Letting the Seasons Run: How to Prepare for the Winter Blues

Here comes the rain again

It always has an effect on me

Don't know how the seasons run

I always feel like I'm in between

Lightning and the distant crash of thunder

Knowing that it's still coming

Doesn't make me any braver

My fears, my doubts

They're slowly creeping out

And they're intensified

The first drop hits my windowpane

And the emotions start flooding in

The xx’s song “Seasons Run” puts into words the familiar thoughts and feelings that can’t help but run through us each winter season: even though winter knowingly comes each and every year, it still seems to come and hit us out of nowhere. While daylight savings comes at the same time each and every year, it still can feel so shocking and even discombobulating when the sun starts coming down at 4:30 pm.

Do I stay inside 'til I see the sun?

Once again, let the seasons run?

Or do I step outside?

I recognize it in the air

The fading light is my precursor

But how do I prepare?

These questions probably sound familiar and are completely valid: it is so hard to find the motivation sometimes when the darkness seems to create this ball and chain for you to stay indoors. What do we do with ourselves when it’s this dark out this early? How do we adapt to it? What can we do to try to delineate these feelings of sadness during this time? How do we bring ourselves to step outside?

1. Movement: In the warmer seasons, we naturally spend more time doing outdoor activities that get our bodies moving (such as biking, playing outdoor games, reading a book outside, etc.) that are not as viable during the winter months. Make a walking or running playlist of songs that make you feel empowered or instantly make you feel energized - even just dancing and belting out in your room or shower is such an empowering feeling! Then go out for a walk or run: getting 20-30 mins of cardio exercise each day is so crucial for your mental health. Even if it feels like a lot to get out there and to get moving in the cold, going for a walk or going to the gym for a run gets those endorphins flowing to scientifically put you in a healthier, more positive mood. However, if it feels too overwhelming to leave the apartment or just NYC weather is blustering through, you could also lay out a mat and try some yoga, or even check out some at-home workout videos; there’s tons all over YouTube!

2. Artificial Light: Light boxes that bring artificial sunlight into your apartment can bring your circadian rhythm (“body clock”) back on track. Researchers recommend 20 mins in front of the light box each morning after waking up has a very positive effect on diminishing winter blues. 

3. Environment: When you’re out and about frequently, maybe your immediate environment or apartment doesn’t matter as much since you really only come home at the end of evening and leave in the morning. So when you’re in your apartment more often in the winter, changing your surroundings can be a big mood booster. This can be small things like adding plants to the apartment or adding candles/a special scent that makes you feel happy. 

4. Stay Social: Sometimes we can resort to isolating ourselves when feeling the winter blues, but it's crucial to get out there and be social in order to combat our lower feelings. Luckily, living in NYC means there is so much out there to do! However, while New York City is understandably so expensive and it may feel like the only way to be social is by going to restaurants and bars in the winter when the free activities are not as available, there are other ways to get together with friends without spending too much. Having dinner parties or cooking together with friends is one of my personal favorite ways to get people together in a fun way and not have to spend a ton of money; between potlucks or just going through your pantry to see what ingredients you all can put together to make a yummy meal together is always a very wholesome activity without spending a lot of cash. Once dinner is ready, you can always bring out the board games too!

1. Free things to do in NYC in Winter: Free ice skating at Seaport Square with their free Northern Lights installation, ferry rides to Governor’s Island are free before noon where there are firepits and light shows and also has free ice skating on Thursday’s, MoMA is free admission on Thursday’s from 4-8pm (unless you have a local college student ID then it’s free always, and so is the Met!), the Natural History Museum is pay as you wish, and Whitney Museum is pay as you wish Saturday from 4-8pm.

2. Cheaper/Discounted Activities: Luckily businesses are looking to find ways to bring more customers around during the off-season as well! During January through March, many Broadway shows offer half off prices or two-fer deals to bring business back in. Restaurant Week (which is actually three weeks long) offers great deals at restaurants all over the city to get people out into the city again.

5. Get Creative: Take a creative break and work out your right brain! Sometimes just getting the colors out to draw or paint, knit, make a scrapbook, or even try out a new recipe to cook is the best kind of chicken soup for the soul. Making a scrapbook can even bring up happy memories as well. Additionally, whatever tangible item you make you can either gift to a friend to put a smile on their face, or even brighten up your own environment (which brings us back to step #3!)