January 23,2022 by Pete Braley
Yes it’s true: They’re baaaack!
What’s that, you ask?
Well that would be the winter blues!
I wasn’t here for the blues last year. I was still in Virginia Beach playing Grampnanny for my grandson Liam. Not that they have tropical winters and actually, they had 4 or 5 inches of snow yesterday.
That is rare but it does happen. They also have the occasional day with the temperature in the 60s. Basically if they have a cold spell or a snowfall it doesn’t last long.
This year I’m back up north and the winter blues have arrived. It’s not as bad (Yet?) as some years have been. I think that’s because I have the daily show I do with my son Matt on YouTube that gives me some purpose and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
I wrote in my book last year that for anyone dealing with a disability – or for that matter – dealing with the winter blues, you must have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It can be something as simple as “Today I’m going to FaceTime with my grandson,” or “Today I’m going to browse around the library.” Just have a reason.
Of course, if you have a more severe case you should talk to your doctor. The official name for it is S.A.D. – Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to a quick Google search it is very common, with more than 3 million cases a year and is very treatable.
An excellent blog from the Mayo Clinic covers just about everything from Risks, the Cause and when to see a doctor.
“It’s normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your health care provider. This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or think about suicide.”
Mayo Clinic
Yikes!
I thank God that I’ve usually been able to deal with it. The good news, for some of us, is that it goes away when the weather improves and we have more sunlight in our lives.
One of the biggest things I’ve done is to learn to accept it and realize what it is. I have become less active over the years, not necessarily by choice. I talked with a friend the other day who is a little older than I am and he used the phrase, “If there’s snow, I don’t go.” I like that. Yes snow, or especially ice, means I’m not venturing out. My kids joke with me if we get snow or ice: “See you in July dad!”
How do I deal with the winter blues? I read a lot and I think I even read more in the winter. We joked on the show the other morning about how I even go to bed at 7:30 p.m. on nights that Priscilla works. That’s not for sleep but I love to read before bed. It’s a great feeling on a cold winter night with the wind howling outside and you’re all comfy under the blankets and comforter, propped up with pillows, puppy by your side and you’ve got a good mystery to read.
Daytime television has also come a long way from what they used to offer. I can remember being sent home sick as a child, or even when I got older, and daytime TV consisted of soaps, “The Price Is Right” and reruns of “Gilligan’s Island.” Now with On Demand and all the streaming channels there are a lot more choices.
It’s also important to take advantage of a change in the weather. Thank God we haven’t had a real cold snap (yet?) that stays for more than a couple of days. If we get a surprise day where the temperature is in the 50s make sure you get outside for a walk.
I’ve also noticed that sometimes it just feels good to be with people. One recent day I had a few errands to run and it just felt good to interact with other humans.
So I would just say hang in there! Get help if you think you or a loved one need it. Do your homework and check the warning signs. Think of some fun ways you could spend the next month or so whether it’s reading, organizing your house or writing that novel you’ve always wanted to get to.
You could also make a paper chain to count it down:
Only 56 days until spring.
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