There is grace in admitting that winter asks more from you. Seasonal depression, often called Seasonal Affective Disorder, is when our body responds to changes in light in deep winter months. It can cause low energy, sadness, or a fog that’s hard to shake. Acknowledging this shift with gentleness is often the first step toward easing it.
It is deeply human to respond to each change of season. As subtle shifts stack around us, so too can a muted heaviness. For some, seasonal depression can be mild, severe, or not a factor at all. You may even simply want to make extra efforts to support your sleep cycle during winter and dark nights, when your body requires more sleep instinctively.
Light plays a powerful role in our overall well-being. When sunlight becomes scarce, it impacts our circadian rhythm which controls all internal processes from alertness to melatonin production at night. A short walk during daylight can make a surprising difference – helping you reconnect with fresh air, open space, and the grounding sense that the outside world is still there, permanent despite cold and darkness. Winter yearns for more sleep. Make space in your routine to accommodate earlier nights, and remember to support this with gentle and encouraging bed time behaviours that wind you down in preparation for sleep. Routine becomes a soft anchor during darker months, giving shape to days. A warm cup of tea at the same time each morning, a short stretch before bed, or a slow afternoon spent reading or journalling can offer a sense of predictability when your inner landscape feels unsteady. They are also the gifts of the season; invitations to explore a different pace, taking insights from the lessons presented to us. Gentle activity like walking, yoga, or even mindful breathing can help lift your mood by nudging your brain toward releasing chemicals that support emotional balance. Of course, consistent and quality deep sleep is the priority for overall brain health and wellness. Nothing else comes close – not even the gym. Adding little luxuries, such as accessories that nurture stillness and rest, can make dark nights feel more indulgent and fulfilling. We always choose natural fibres for our homes and sleep, working with the best of nature’s most intelligent fibres for true wellbeing. Staying hydrated is essential, as cold and darkness can lead us to rely on warm caffeinated drinks. You can add extra water to your diet by making nourishing soups that up your water intake, giving you the comforting feeling of sipping on something energising. The benefits of cold water swimming come into their own during winter. As lovers of wild swimming here at our home beaches in Northern Scotland, the icy cold of the season offers a true feeling of being alive and connected to the natural world. Doing this safely with friends, overcoming difficulty as warming tingling sensations comfort and soothe short days in turn boosts wellbeing and happy hormones, while creating a more robust nervous system ready to tackle the elements – seeking beauty in all the season can throw our way. This activity also just so happens to set up the perfect conditions for deep sleep, giving both body and mind sensory stimulus that sustains and restores.
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