Winter and Counseling
By: Alan Tsang, LPC, NCC
To quote Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming,” would be such an understatement for anyone who has experienced what I like to call a “Chicago Winter”. The harsh wind chills that can make 30 degrees feel like a negative degree temperature, the unpredictable snow storms, and who could forget having to fight for parking spots when the buckets or chairs come out to hold a spot? The point is, we understand that winter here in Chi-Town can be hard!
While many of us can’t wait for winter to come around, the reality is, many others can have a difficult time being happy in the season. Winter depression, sometimes called Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is very much a reality for many Chicagoans because of our long winters and slushy grey conditions that go well into the Spring time.
I’ll keep it simple, some of the major things related to Winter Depression include sunlight not reaching the ground during the season, overwhelming stress from work and personal lives, and the brutal temperatures. There can be a number of reasons, and if we add all of that together, it’s no wonder SAD is so prevalent!
There are many ways to combat Winter Depression naturally. This might include the use of a “happy light” to get more light exposure in the shortened amount of daylight, putting more physical activity into your day; or even minimizing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.
But what about reaching out for counseling?
Should Chicagoans look towards therapy to help with their winter depression? Absolutely, based on various forms of research, talk therapy is an ideal option for anyone seeking to understand their relationship between depressive symptoms and the winter!
In many cases, being able to speak to a helping professional about what your struggles are can help ease the stresses of your winter. In a nutshell, you are creating a relationship that can help you gain insight into your winter blues. No one experiences Winter Depression the same way. The work you do with a professional counselor would be specifically geared towards your own experiences; whether it’s grief, anxiety, or an overwhelming amount of stress.
Here’s a few ways a therapist can help with your Winter Depression
- Working with a helping professional can help you identify what exactly might be the symptoms for your Winter Sadness. By encouraging you to keep track of certain things that might move you into a more negative mood, the counselor can help you understand that experience better.
- Many of us counselors can help you integrate certain skills to keep you grounded in the present moment. Research has shown that by exercising mindfulness, or “keeping your thoughts in the present moment”, people can better focus on their tasks and feel less anxious about what they might have to do for the holidays or how to navigate through those slushy city streets.
I’ll admit that this might be harder than it sounds especially when we have stressors stacking up on us throughout the season. Yet it’s been shown how effective practicing mindfulness skills can be in the face of everyday stress!
- The winter time can be a highly stressful time to anyone in Chicago. But not everything can cause stress the same way for everyone. By having a therapist hear how you typically navigate through the busy season, you’ll also get a better idea of the stressors that lead into the symptoms of moodiness or fatigue linked to winter depression.
So if you are in Chicago this winter, are struggling with Winter Depression, would like to gain insight into your personal stressors, or want to feel more connected to those around you in such stressful times, we can help you with that! We have many therapists that can assist you in navigating your SAD and the anxiety that can revolve around it.
The winter time can be absolutely exciting; at the same time, they can also be very taxing and draining! Whether you are looking for individual or couples counseling to help with your Winter Blues, I would encourage you to give us a call at 773.528.1777 or send us a secure, confidential note via our contact form.
Thanks for stopping by!
