“Drag your thoughts away from your troubles… by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.” ~Mark Twain
Our emotions are driven by our thoughts. In any moment, we can choose to focus on things, people, and places that evoke happiness and joy or on that which settles in sadness and fear. Certainly, when we are in the throes of an extreme negative emotion, we cannot jump directly to joy. But, we can either change our focus or choose to feel hopeful, believing that “this, too, shall pass.”
I struggle with seasonal melancholy. Perhaps “struggle” is too strong of a word. I wrestle with seasonal melancholy. Mid-winter, for me, brings diminished energy, listlessness, lack of creative drive. Just as fears may be heightened in the middle of the night, mid-winter and lack of sunshine nourishes negativity and loss of hope.
To ward off winter woes, I pack an arsenal of Vitamin D, of daily exposure to my full-spectrum light, and tickets to a week of warmth and sun. I battle back with bullets of exercise (walking) and intentional, focused, positive thought.
Tomorrow, we begin February. We begin to tip mid-winter toward spring. I choose to focus on the crocus, plan a garden, reclaim my 3-season porch, and await the inevitable return of longer hours of daylight.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)
Many people suffer from SAD (seasonal affect disorder) where they lose hope or become very depressed during the winter months. In addition to what you have mentioned above artifical “sun” lamps and yoga with deep breathing and meditation have helped some to get through the gloomy winter months.
Indoor waterfalls are helpful as well because they release negative ions into the air, which helps to elevate a person’s mood.