Wintertime can be difficult for mental health, particularly for those living in cold climates with less sun. My name is Brynne, and I’m a member of CHC’s Teen Collaborative and a guest contributor to CHC’s blog. In association with Challenge Success’s Student Advisory Board, I want to discuss ways to alleviate stress during what can be a difficult time for many. Stress effects can often go unnoticed, with many recognizing the decline in happiness as simply the “winter blues.” Because of this, it is more important than ever to recognize and mitigate the effects of stress.

The change in seasons and gloomy skies can make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude and have enthusiasm for the day, but the following tips and tricks can boost some of the bad vibes that lower temperatures bring. I’ve included several personal favorites that my siblings and I have used in the winter months after living in cold places for our whole lives, and we’ve loved doing these things at every age. Enjoy!

Exams for many students are in full swing after winter break, and the demands that January brings can feel overwhelming after a busy holiday season. Readjusting to the school schedule can be challenging for everyone, and it’s easy to feel swamped by academics and the various commitments that our communities ask of us. It’s also easy to brush over self-care in place of an extra hour of late-night studying. While preparing adequately for academic assignments and tests is extremely important, it’s also important during this busy time to take a deep breath and take care of your body. A bath or a little bit of extra time spent on a skin care routine can have you feeling your best, and more prepared to take on the challenges at hand. Remember, caring for yourself is an important part of being successful in all aspects of life.

2. Meditation and yoga

The focus on breathwork in these activities is a great way to decompress after an emotional day or when things aren’t going your way. Plus, one great thing about both yoga and meditation is that neither takes up too much time—a simple twenty-minute flow can bring stress levels down and help clear your head.

This is my favorite way to spend a winter afternoon. To boost my mood, I’ll whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies or make dinner for my family. Not only is it fun to play the role of family chef, but helping out around the house and making a meal as everyone in the household tries to manage busy schedules provides a wonderful feeling of kindness and altruism, which brings joy! Try your hand at a Pinterest recipe today.

Watching a good movie can make time feel suspended. You find yourself immersed in the plotlines and the lives of the characters, temporarily transporting you away from your anxieties. This winter, one fun activity to do with family and friends is to begin to make your way through the 100 greatest movies of all time. Each winter, pick ten movies from this list. Before you know it, you will be well on your way to becoming a certified cinephile.

Winter is a time that impacts not just our mental health, but our physical health, as well. Take care of your body and your health by staying clean and organized. If you’ve been putting off cleaning your room or washing that water bottle, take the time to do it in order to maintain a clear and focused headspace in the room where you sleep, and sanitize surfaces and anything that comes into contact with your mouth, eyes, or nose.

The wintertime can be dreary, as we are often cooped up indoors when the thermometer drops. But the indoors can be the perfect space to discover new hobbies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my sisters and I constructed a 5000-piece puzzle, chipping away at this work of art day by day. If you like something a little less structured, you could try painting or drawing. You may be surprised by how relaxing the freedom feels to create whatever you want, free of any constraints and the ability to let your mind wander.

The worst thing about winter is how isolating it feels. The cold and inclement weather also can cause travel delays, which  can make things difficult for friends trying to meet up from different locations. However, when possible, in-person social connection is a powerful tool to keep relationships strong, fuel laughter, and provide trusting and reliable connections. One creative idea to inspire high spirits with friends is to do a “board” night. This is an idea inspired by the Pinterest-famous charcuterie boards. Each person can bring a board of dessert or cheese or something with a theme- like everyone brings a board of their favorite fast food, or a board with their favorite type of sweet treat.

Winter is a time that impacts not just our mental health, but our physical health, as well.

It’s easy to dwell on misery in the winter and think about the things we wish we had or could be doing instead of shoveling driveways and bundling up in layer after layer of winter clothing, only to still feel cold! Donating time at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter or even a local animal shelter will not only do others good and leave you feeling like you’ve made an important impact on your community, but will also leave you with a feeling of profound gratitude and the realization that you have everything you need in life with your family, health, a warm meal, a roof over your head, and close friends.

Many of us know the feeling of opening Instagram or TikTok on a sub-zero day and watching a friend’s or influencer’s story of a tropical beach or cozy day at home, while we are stuck in work or school. In the winter especially, it is easy to feel upset and wishing that you could be living someone’s life somewhere else. An easy solution? Stay off of social media, or set time limits each day. While socials can be a good way to stay in contact with others, sometimes the harm of wishing you lived someone else’s life outweighs any of the benefits. If you are bored and find yourself doomscrolling, pick up a book instead!

My favorite way to deal with my emotions is to write them down and journal, whether I am extremely happy or extremely sad. The process of getting all my thoughts on paper always helps me make sense of the world around me and sort through what exactly I feel stressed or anxious about so I can address the root cause. If you are working through a problem, write down all the external factors causing you stress and then make a list of solutions to combat each of them, one day at a time.

I hope that these activities will help bring you joy during the winter months. The cold can put a damper on some of the fun activities we all love to do, but new traditions and fun times can be had by looking to these suggestions. Happy New Year!

Brynne is a member of CHC’s Teen Collaborative, in association with Challenge Success’s Student Advisory Board.

You are not alone. For immediate help, call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org.
(Anyone can send a message! Kids, teens and adults.)