S.a.d
Like millions of adults in the northern half of the Western Hemisphere, I get a little down in the winter. It may be that, like so many of us in the North, I am criminally deficient in Vitamin D. It may also be related to the distinct lack of sunlight and the soul-sucking snowfalls that plague the area where I live. Whatever the reason, I feel sad in the winter months, and this year I've decided to embrace it.
Now, I’m not saying that I’m going to crawl into my bed and reemerge in the spring, although the insomniac in me loves the idea. What I mean is that I will start honouring my feelings. For instance, when I start to feel a little melancholy on a Monday, I’ll make sure I get outside, even if just briefly. Gotta catch some rays through my SPF 50.
Likewise, if I begin to notice some negative thoughts creeping in, I’ll grab my guitar and start singing. Music is my universal cure-all for what ails my soul, and this winter I plan to pull it out whenever I feel the moody blues.
Similarly, on the days when I can function but my feet begin to drag, I’ll turn to my friend YouTube for some hilarious cat videos and cooking shows. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can perk up in the presence of fluffy, furry felines falling flat on their faces. Say that five times fast.
What about the days when the existential dread kicks in and even breathing becomes an effort, you ask? Let’s face it, we’ve all been there at least once in our lives. From the CEO of a Fortune 500 company right down to the humble yoga teacher, what do we do when we cannot get out of bed? The simple answer is "don’t." Honor your feelings and acknowledge that perhaps today is not the day. Stay in bed and try again tomorrow, or if you have to get out of bed, take it one step at a time.
Now, I acknowledge that I am a person of immense privileges who can sometimes afford to stay in bed and honour my feelings. I recognize not everyone can, so if you absolutely have to get up, here are a few ideas. First, try sitting up; then, if that works and you’re uprightly mobile, try standing. Next, you could perhaps bring your arms over your head and give yourself a stretch, or wrap your arms around your body and give yourself a great big hug. You could also try some breathing techniques like bhramari pranayama to help ease you into the world. Lastly, try visualizing your day and picking out the highlights. Allow the good in your day to shine through giving you something to look forward to.
The point is, bad days happen, and in the winter those bad days may feel even worse, so honour your feelings and be gentle with yourself. You deserve it.
