Winter and incoming S.A.D.

 “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
 
Fall feels like it is winding down, which fills me with melancholy and a pinch of dread.  I generally don't enjoy winter.  It's far too cold, dark, and wet for my comfort level.  I like staying home, wrapped up in an electric blanket on my sofa, reading a romance novel, and sipping tea, instead of venturing outside to do things like going to work, grocery shopping, posting mail, etc.  The desire to cocoon is particularly high when it gets dark at 4pm and if there is snow or rain in the air.  However, life goes on and items on my "to do" list must get accomplished eventually.

As a counselor by profession, I feel like my own mental health gets neglected at times.  It's extremely easy to get sucked in to your client's drama, and feel very emotionally attached to outcomes.  The burnout level is high with this profession.  Mental health is like physical health in a lot of ways....you do have to take care of it, maintain it, routinely do things that keep you feeling good.  For everyone, the details of how or what to do, are going to be different.  You just gotta figure out what works!

This year, I want to do things differently.  I have a plan for fending off winter seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D).

• Wake up earlier.  Since it starts getting dark when I go to work around 4pm, I am much more productive if I get up around 8am and have a full day of daylight.
• Get outside as much a possible.  On those days when it is sunny and slightly less frigid, being outside makes me feel good.  Even if its going for a quick walk around the block, filling the bird feeders, sweeping the walkway, or picking up twigs in the yard.
• Eat healthier.  I don't like feeling fat and lethargic, even though I crave comfort foods more often during winter.  This year I want to eat less sweets, mashed potatoes, etc.  Thankfully, I don't bake much or buy a lot of junk food, and being gluten free will keep me mostly safe from temptation at holiday parties.
• Drink lots of water.  One of the top causes of daytime fatigue is actually dehydration!  The more you know....
• Stay productive.  As much I'd like to loaf all day and read romance novels, I still have to get work done and do things like dishes *shudder*.  I like making lists, but it's important to keep a daily list short enough that it doesn't feel overwhelming, AND you can realistically get most of it done.  Break down larger tasks into smaller bits (clean the whole house becomes vacuum living room, dust bedroom, clean toilet, etc.). And if I don't get to everything on the list, it moves to the top on the next day.  
• Enjoy down time.  Be a little selfish and take time to do what you love, even when your plate is full and job or family pull you in all directions.  I must have the iPod in the car to blast on the way to client's homes.  When I get home from work, I take time to decompress by surfing the web or playing a game before I delve into evening chores.  When I'm laying in bed, I clear my head by playing word games or sodoku.  I need to be better at doing these things throughout the winter to keep my spirits high. 

Hopefully my plan will help me feeling like blogging more, among other things.  This month has been stressful and jam packed, and I feel like I've been moving at full speed since August.  I'm determined to take back the reins and make some mood boosting improvements before the holidays kick in full blast!

Two things to look forward to:  Seeing The Hobbit and Lincoln in the theaters! 

“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
― Abraham Lincoln