6 Ways to Prepare for Seasonal Depression

While many people extol the joys of autumn foliage and are excited about “sweater weather,” those who have struggled with seasonal depression may be less enthusiastic about the changing seasons. However, knowing that you have dealt with seasonal depression in the past, you can prepare yourself for the season.

6 Ways to Prepare for Seasonal Depression

Here are six ways to prepare yourself to handle the winter blues.

Supplements and medications

Stock up on vitamin D and talk to your doctor about any prescription medications you may need.
Anti-depressants can take some time to work up to their full strength. If you don’t take anti-depressants in the sunnier months, talk to your doctor about starting your prescription before winter’s darkness hits. Adding a vitamin D supplement is also helpful when the sunshine no longer pierces the clouds with its rays.

Light therapy

Speaking of sunshine, consider purchasing sunshine lamps. You can use one at home or work to boost your mood.

Have fun

Make some fun plans for the gloomy seasons. When you have something to look forward to, it makes the long nights more bearable. See a movie in the theater, make lunch dates with friends, plan a game night, buy some books you have wanted to read or plan an old-fashioned weekly watch party of a TV show rather than a straight binge.

Create a space you love to be in

Hygge up your personal space. The Scandinavian concept of hygge took the US by storm during COVID-19, and plenty of excellent tips can make your home or office more comfortable during the colder, darker time of year. Stock up on teas, coffee, or cocoa. Have blankets at the ready. Research recipes that make you excited to stay in and cook. Make a playlist of music that cheers you up.

Stay active

Sign up for a gym membership or exercise class. When the weather outside is frightful, slipping into a sedentary lifestyle becomes easy. Find ways to get your heart pumping and blood moving. Spice it up by taking a dance class or meeting with a more rugged outdoors group to see what happens.

Talk to a counselor

Schedule appointments with your counselor. Getting ahead of seasonal depression is about planning, and by planning your visits with a counselor, you know that there will be someone who can help you through the season’s most challenging moments.

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. – Julian of Norwich

You have been through this before and will make it through again. That is the graciousness of God in giving us seasons. No season will last forever, not the brilliance of summer nor the cold of winter.

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. – Psalm 74:16-17, NIV

Coping with seasonal depression is not just about survival. It is possible to thrive even in the darkness. Preparation can help you thrive even when you are struggling. Knowing that you are not alone is crucial to that thriving. Whether it be family, friends, or a counselor, find someone to share your struggle with and ask them to help you prepare for thriving amid seasonal depression.

At Longview Chrsitian Counseling in Washington, our office is open all year, and we would love to help you in any season. Call today to make an appointment.