5 Reasons to Look Forward to Winter: Simple Pleasures for Shorter Days
This time of year can be hard. The backdrop of the holiday season is made up of shorter days, colder temperatures, and for many, financial and relational strain. While some people welcome a change of pace that less sunlight and cooler temperatures can bring, many others dread dinners in the dark and having to wear coats to be comfortable outside.
And while not everyone feels the same level of dread in the winter months, the shorter days can take a toll on your mental health, making it difficult to find joy in a season that often requires significant effort just to stay engaged and present. So, if this is you, consider the following small moments of solace and comfort that you can find during this season full of shorter days to help brighten the season.
(Note: While many experience some level of the “winter blues,” some actually experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during this time of year – a major depressive disorder that occurs during certain seasons, most commonly with winter. SAD impacts about 5% of people for about 40% of the year, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Therapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes can help to alleviate symptoms for those who are diagnosed with SAD. If you think you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder, please connect with a professional if you are able in order to ensure you get the level of care you need during the late fall and winter months).
5 Reasons to Look Forward to Shorter Days This Winter
1. Natural Blue Light
Different from the blue light we are cautioned against from screens, there is a window of time before sunrise and after sunset in late fall and winter when a blue hue blankets the earth. The gentle blue glow can create a serene, almost magical-feeling atmosphere that makes early mornings and evenings feel peaceful and restorative. This “blue light” is actually known for being calming to the nervous system. If you enjoy being outside and long for time in nature on these shorter days, this is a perfect time of day to go on a walk outside or to journal or read by a window.
2. Hygge
This is a Danish/nordic term that describes the feeling of comfort, warmth, safety, community, and serenity found in winter. Denmark is known for having an “obsession with all things cozy” and this is credited as one of the reasons they are often at the top if the list of the world’s happiest countries, despite having long, cold winters (The New Yorker). There is something soothing about being inside in the warmth when it’s cold and dark outside – whether that’s with family or friends, with pets and a book, or in solitude, there’s an unmistakable calm and comfort that can be tapped into during this time of year.
For some, this may come naturally, and for others, it may be something you have to try to “find,” but hygge can be found and experienced in a million little ways: cozy sweatpants, a seasonal candle, a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee, fresh cookies, or a seasonal soup.
3. Apricity
Apricity is the feeling of the sun’s warmth on cold days. You may know the feeling — when the air is cold and still, but the sun is bright. The contrast between the cold air and the heat of the sun provides an opportunity to notice and appreciate the sun differently than we do when it’s warm out. It invites me to pause, close my eyes, and let myself be fully present in the moment. Apricity can be a reminder that even when the days are short and the weather is cold, you can still get glimpses of the sun’s radiance and warmth.
4. Indoor Projects + Hobbies
When it is getting dark before dinner time, there is often less pressure to do things outside of the house. While some grieve the time they aren’t able to easily spend outside in the early morning and late evening hours, this can be a wonderful opportunity to do some indoor projects that you have been putting off. Whether it’s cleaning a closet or knitting a scarf, you may find more at ease staying in the house to do these things when it is cold and dark outside than you do when it is hot and sunny.
5. Seasonal Scenery and Decorations
When my daughter and I were driving home from dance the other night, she started giggling randomly and asked, “Is it… the middle of the night!?” She could not believe how dark it was outside already. The only logical explanation she could think of for this would be that dance ended at midnight that day. :)
We spent the entire ride home looking for Christmas lights, to which she would excitedly announce, “LOOK! More lights!!” every time she saw some. The lights and decorations that adorn houses, trees, and businesses this time of year create a sense of community and nostalgia. And shorter days allow more opportunities to see and appreciate some of these seasonal lights and decor that illuminate the night.
There’s Joy and Warmth Even Here
As the days get shorter and winter settles in, it’s easy to miss the heat and brightness of summer. And while many prefer summer over winter, winter invites us to slow down and find joy and comfort in different ways. There’s a quiet beauty in these months—whether it’s the soft glow of early morning light, the warmth of the sun on a crisp afternoon, or the cozy feeling of being wrapped up inside while it’s cold and dark outside. Embracing these moments can help remind us that even in a season marked by less sunlight and colder temperatures, we can still find light and warmth.
By: Erika Muller, Assistant for Wildflower Therapy LLC
All images via Unsplash
How Can Wildflower Therapy in Philadelphia, PA Help You?
If you’re looking for someone to come alongside you to help you unpack and approach the the complex set of experiences and emotions that come with shifting seasons, our therapists in Pennsylvania are honored to help! In fact, you can get to know a little bit more about them here and book a free consultation here.
Other Mental Health Services Provided by Wildflower Therapy, Philadelphia, PA
Life is a unique and sometimes messy journey for each of us; we all have our own individual battles to fight. Our therapists know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to any of life’s challenges and because of that, we offer many unique perspectives and approaches to help meet you where you are with our Philadelphia, PA Therapy services.
With this in mind, we offer services for eating disorder therapy, services for anxiety, and depression, and have practitioners who specialize in perinatal mental health , maternal mental health, therapy for college students and athletes. As well as LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy. Accordingly, we have something to offer just about anyone in our Philadelphia, PA office. Reaching out is often the most difficult step you can take to improve your mental health. We look forward to partnering with you on this journey!
