Are you finding yourself easily irritable, often groggy or withdrawn during this time of year? Is there a difference in your sleep pattern, motivation and concentration? Well, if you relate at all to these questions, you may be affected by Winter Blues. Lets face it, for many, the Winter months can be brutal. With the stress of the holidays, pressure that comes with new year’s resolutions, and we can’t forget the limited amount of sunlight that affects many of us, the Winter Blues is more common than we think.

September Set got a few helpful tips from Dr. Angela Grice, whose work includes extensive research on the brain, as well as the positive impact of mindfulness. Here, she offers a few things that you can do to get through this dark season:

1.      Be gentle with yourself.  You don’t have to conquer the world in a day.  Set realistic goals and if you fall short reset to start again.

2.     Find a way to give yourself light.  This could be connecting with nature thru a mindful walk.  Turn off the music and focus on your senses—what do you hear, see, smell, feel?  Scientific research has revealed that being outside resets your brain.

3.     Indulge in self-care, self-love, and self-compassion.  Pretend you are comforting a close friend who feels sad or lonely.  What would you do? Do those things for yourself.

4.     Take time to sit in stillness. Frequently it is difficult to identify the origins of your emotions.  Being still will allow for you to truly listen to your body and name your feelings. Acknowledging different emotions also helps to process them.

5.     Remain in the present.  Concentrating on the past or worrying about the future can cause anxiety.  Using the breath as an anchor can help. 

6.     Don’t be afraid to see a professional. Know when to seek additional help, i.e., psychotherapist, spiritual advisor, etc. Remember that you don’t have to deal with things solo. Seeking professional attention and advisement for any issue that you are struggling with can be a smart move.

To get more advice from Dr. Angela Grice, feel free to check her out on Instagram, @karmaheartlove