On Winter Blues

Winter Blues

Winter in northeast Indiana can be brutal some years, and I don’t necessarily mean snow, cold, and wind chill…but those are all part and parcel of the winter experience.

I mean the gray skies, short daylight hours, seemingly more days of drizzle and hazy fog than clear days, and a general feeling of “blah” or “meh.”

In 1998 during the month of January, I was at one of the lowest points of my life…all 25 years of it at that time. Since then, January has been a struggle.

However, there are some routines and habits I have built into my days that have helped.

1. Get ample sleep. When I was younger, sleep was something I sacrificed on the altar of productivity and accomplishment…very much to my detriment. Sleep is a wonderful gift that God has given to humans as a way to refresh, recharge, and restore.

2. Read. I read every day. I read the Scriptures and from a book to keep my mind engaged, sharp, and active.

3. Spiritual practice. I incorporate spiritual practice into my daily routine. Some days it is spending time in silence and solitude with God. Most days, I pray through the Lord’s Prayer in “chunks” taking time to focus on each phrase and apply it. Some days it is centering prayer, journaling, and meditation.

4. Exercise. My goal is to exercise 5 days per week, which gets the blood flowing and releases dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin–all of which help with mood, sleep, and attitude.

5. Relational engagement. Whether it is a phone or Zoom call, coffee get together, a text, or a conversation with my family, I engage daily with other humans. Experiencing the “blues” makes it tempting to isolate or insulate from others, which only compounds the problem.

6. Work routine. I do the best I can to maintain a similar work routine everyday. I send out proposals, I follow-up, I check-in with clients, I book meetings, I facilitate workshops or trainings, I have a coaching or mentoring meeting, etc. The point is that I seek to add value to someone else’s life every day.

7. Write. I write something daily. It may be 50 words, or it may be 500, or 1,000. The point is, I write something everyday to engage the creative side of my brain.

How about you? If you struggle with the “winter blues,” perhaps this may help you as well, or please share what you do this time of year!

The bottom-line: may we all be proactive and take ownership of our lives!