Hi everyone! Sorry for the hiatus it’s been a busy and hectic few months. Nevertheless, there have been topics that I have wanted to talk about and I’ve been putting my thoughts together to prepare myself for this post. Winter, the grey skies, bitterly cold weather, snow – well it can do more than convince you to hibernate for the course of the season – it can cause your anxiety to heighten. It sure does for me and others I know so today, we’re going to discuss what we can do to alleviate some of the anxiousness that happens tenfold this time of year. With that, let’s get down to business!
Let’s be real, winter, especially in parts of Canada, is dark, grey, and cold! So it only seems inevitable that anxiety is high. Don’t even get me started on the holidays. Those can be some of the hardest times for some. What’s a time to share with family and friends who are family can turn to…well…a shit show. Those who don’t quite have a family to spend with would call those with tons of family to spend it with “lucky”. I’m not saying that either is better, but know that others are dealing with certain anxieties or difficulties like you. There are certain ways to navigate these emotions and while it may not bring exactly what you’re looking for in terms of having “the best holiday ever” it may help with coping.
When the holidays approach some get a feeling of dread of spending it with family they can no longer tolerate or distant relatives they don’t even know how to make conversation with. Others, don’t have much family to spend it with for whatever reason. These scenarios, regardless of how one looks at the other, are tough. In such situations, I think it’s best to let the closest person to you know how you’re feeling or what you’re anticipating. Whether a best friend, someone you game with online, or a co-worker, let them know. The response you receive can be so kind that it will make your holiday season a bit more tolerable. Really that’s what we need, when in these situations, is someone to sympathize with us and offer a kind word or gesture. It may not be a response to your anxiety for this time of year but I feel that letting someone(you trust with personal info) know: “Hey, holidays are coming, don’t have plans, I feel kind of alone” or “I’m stressed about seeing all this family and being judged”, can actually knock the anxiousness down a bit. It’s not a cure for the feeling or even a solution to the situation but communicating that feeling to someone may present you with some comfort.
Winter in Canada, well that is a whole other ball game. I mean, depending where you are. It’s safe to say that if you’re not escaping to the south and away from the “winter blues” of grey outside your window, I can tell you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I feel it and I have a pretty concrete idea of how many others feel it too. I called my Employee Assistance Line one winter in the hopes of getting a therapist to speak to about my anxiety that had appeared…again, and the wait time to speak to someone to get referred to a therapist was over 2 hours long! As bad as it is to sometimes admit this, the feeling of not being alone in these times does provide some comfort. Once getting in touch with a professional and was able to let out all my emotions, I was then provided with ways to cope during this specific time. I had been advised that the “Light Therapy Lamp” on Amazon.ca for $29.99 plus tax would help with the lack of vitamin D and lack of sunshine. I was skeptical but honestly, my anxiety was so bad that I bought it. I can tell you, that keeping it on, on the second setting in the morning, really helps me out. Call me gullible if you will or that it’s the “placebo effect” it helps.
Another thing, and I will get into more of this in another post, is “the container”! There is something I have done in therapy called EMDR and I promise I will have a post about this sooner rather than later but it honestly helps in dealing with and healing in certain situations which bring on anxious feelings and thoughts. Anyway, back to the container. When you are taking the deep breaths I have mentioned in previous posts, take all the negative and intrusive thoughts that are causing or inserting themselves into your anxiety into a container. What I have learned is to create, something you envision, as a container that can suck all those negative thoughts from your mind. Mine, well I won’t get into the details of colour or texture because this is something for me only, but…think of those things as well as how the thoughts are getting “sucked in” to that container. By putting your negative thoughts in this container, it will help you visualize that one of the causes of your anxiety is being put away for when you can tackle it constructively. When I visualize my negative thoughts getting pulled into my container, I picture one of those vents. They are essentially electric air ducts at the bottom of a cupboard that sucks the pile you have just broomed. I picture this and let the air duct suck my negative thoughts into my container. It honestly helps, it takes practice like most things but when you get into the habit, it helps with the anxious thoughts.
One thing I have also started to turn to is hot Yoga! The warmth and the movements combined, really help you to begin a sort of mindfulness practice. If you’re like me and can’t sit still very well, even when practicing mindfulness, hot yoga really helps. Not only do you feel relaxed but it assists in getting you used to letting go of the day-to-day tasks and taking time for yourself. It allows you to practice focusing on your breath whilst incorporating positions to get you out of a negative headspace. I used to scoff at therapists or friends who preached “mindfulness” to me and it wasn’t until hot yoga that I learned how to really practice it. I have to thank my friend, who we’ll call Saige for encouraging me to begin hot yoga. I won’t lie, the first class can feel somewhat intense with the level of heat but if you listen to your body, and take a break to get water if need be, you get used to it and won’t want to miss a class 😊
These are just a couple of ways that I have used to cope which work for me and others I know. Just remember, this time of year causes stress and anxiety for quite a few. Knowing you’re not alone can help and whether you want to discuss what is bothering you or not, reach out to someone(friend, therapist, therapy group) just to have a chat and interact with someone. Someone is feeling something similar and this time of year will pass. Your container is there to help take the negative thoughts that can bring on anxiety away.
Until next time loves!
Be kind to yourself xo