Health Spirit Body

Menu
  • Home
  • Health
  • Weight Loss
  • Nutrition
Home
Health
9 Tips On How To Fight Loneliness In Winter Season
Health

9 Tips On How To Fight Loneliness In Winter Season

Lovely November 11, 2021

The cold winter months can be a difficult time. Add in global pandemic and stay-at-home orders into the mix, and things only become worse. We all know that feeling of isolation and loneliness during the winter season. The usual methods for combating SAD (seasonal affective disorder), like meeting up with friends or traveling are no longer viable options at this time of year. Mental experts shared some great advice for making the next few months just a little bit easier. Here are some tips on how to fight loneliness in winter season.

1. MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

how to fight loneliness in winter

2020 has been a little ‘normal winter so far and we expect the trend to continue this year, which means you should prepare for anything. Gersten says, “This isn’t going to be a normal winter. While it’s more than OK to grieve what we’ve lost, shifting expectations can make it easier to manage so you’re better prepared for the reality of this year.” Rachel Klechevsky, a licensed master social worker with Tia added, “Sometimes what we really need is to just accept that winters tend to be difficult. While we are working on acceptance, we can figure out how best to navigate it.”

2. THINK ABOUT WHAT SELF-CARE MEANS TO YOU

how to fight loneliness in winter

We all have our favorite ways to spend time relaxing, whether it’s reading a good mystery novel or taking an hour-long bath. It’s important to be able to refocus and reset your mind, so do what you can at the moment. Make a reading list or put yourself on your local library’s waiting list for popular books, stock up on bath salts and calming candles. Your future self will thank you for this.

3. MAKE YOUR NEEDS KNOWN

how to fight loneliness in winter

Sometimes, we just need to share our feelings with someone. You can’t always rely on yourself for the company. Gersten said, “Honestly and openness is always key. Ask for what you want the first time you feel the need, rather than letting it fester and cause more irritability,” Klechevsky added, “Begin by stating that this is an open and ongoing conversation and that it is meant to keep everyone feeling comfortable and safe in their home.”

4. START A NEW ROUTINE

how to fight loneliness in winter

A weekly or daily routine can be a great way to stay on top of your mental health. A licensed clinical social worker with the women’s health platform Tia, Sarah Powers, stresses that you don’t have too many commitments in order for this method to work – just something small every day or week would do the trick. It’s more important just to make sure every action has intention and plan so it can be organized accordingly. “This can be as simple as stretching your body when you wake up, showering and then having your morning coffee; going for a walk at lunch; setting time aside in the evening to read, paint, journal, or some other form of self-care. Just be sure to keep doing all of it with intention, and not randomly. Over time, the familiarity and predictability of the routine will bring a sense of calm and help you feel a little more in control,” she said.

5. DIFFERENTIATE WORRIES AND CONCERNS

how to fight loneliness in winter

Powers says, “It’s important to distinguish whether what you’re thinking about winter quarantining is a worry or a concern. Worries are things that might happen in the future. They take up space in your mind with the endless possibilities of what could happen and make you feel out of control.” It’s always smart to be prepared for the worst, especially when you can’t control everything. Imagine if your plans were ruined because of bad weather, So make sure that even though it’s out of our hands now, we’ve planned accordingly by stocking up on movies or TV shows worth watching during these rainy days. When you are faced with difficult situations, it is helpful to focus on things that make your life more comfortable and stress-free.

6. DIFFERENTIATE LONELINESS AND SIMPLY BEING ALONE

how to fight loneliness in winter

Being physically alone is not necessarily a sign of loneliness. A lonely person may seek out company, or an isolated individual can enjoy their own thoughts as much as they want without feeling guilty for it. “Aloneness can feel introspective, comforting, and even enjoyable. Loneliness can feel deeply sad and can bring up feelings of self-consciousness or low self-esteem,” according to Klechevks. Some people like having solo time, and that’s totally fine. It doesn’t make them any less social than the next person. If you find yourself dealing with self-doubt and negative thoughts, it’s time to implement your winter plans.

7. TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME COZY, COMFORTING UPGRADES

how to fight loneliness in winter

You can make your home a place where you’d rather spend time than escape from. Klechevsky suggests changing up the décor with new photos or artwork, swapping out old furniture in order to get more feng shui balance, and adding plants for greenery throughout the house. Why not buy yourself a new bedding set, pajamas, or a cozy sweatsuit? According to Powers, scented candles are a great way to signal your mind and body that it’s time for relaxation. They can help you de-stress before bed or while reading in the evening.

8. GET OUTSIDE

how to fight loneliness in winter

Our mental health experts agree that even if it’s cold or snowy outside, you should go out for a walk. They say the benefits are worth the effort. Gersten says, “As much as you can, carve out time in your day to spend some time outside. Maybe it’s on your lunch break, or in the morning versus at night, but do what you can when you can.” The best way to start your day is with coffee on the front porch or taking a short walk. You can also try replacing old commutes by walking instead of driving and buses, if possible.

9. HAVE SOME EMPATHY FOR YOURSELF

how to fight loneliness in winter

It’s always a good idea to have goals, but don’t forget that you’re only human. Some weeks you may find it easy and enjoyable to cook a healthy dinner every night, but just because your body is craving the comfort food of Domino’s instead of any one-pot meal is no reason to self-blame. Powers said, “Celebrate the small victories like getting outside for five minutes or changing out of your sweatpants into jeans. It’s all about altering our expectations and perceptions of what constitutes a “productive” day.”

If you know someone who might like this, please click “Share”!

Share
Tweet
Email
Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

stroke headache
Everyone experiences headaches from time to time, but some people …

What Does a Stroke Headache Feel Like in 2022?

men drink with friends
January generally marks the month of New Year’s Resolutions – …

New Study Suggests That Men Need To Drink With Friends Twice A Week To Stay Healthy

benefits of napping
Finally, the benefits of quick daytime naps are recognized and …

Scientists Explain What Naps Do For Your Brain And Why You Need To Nap More

flu-death
With rising concerns over the widespread flu epidemic, it’s important …

Knowing The Difference Between A Cold And The Flu Could Save Your Life

Popular Posts

  • Can you eat pizza with braces
    Can You Eat Pizza With Braces? How …
    February 6, 2023 0
  • Why am I craving milk
    Why Am I Craving Milk? What Does …
    February 7, 2023 0
  • Do cherries make you poop
    Do Cherries Make You Poop? Everything Explained …
    February 9, 2023 0
  • Vaginal Whitening
    Vaginal Whitening: Safety Vaginal Bleaching Alternatives in …
    February 10, 2023 0
  • how to get rid of knee fat
    How to Get Rid of Knee Fat …
    February 11, 2023 0

Related Posts

  • Red-Wine-gym
    New Study Reveals That Drinking A Glass …
    August 30, 2021 0
  • 1000 Calories Meal Plan
    A Beginner’s Guide to 1000 Calories Meal …
    September 11, 2022 0
  • men happier with chubby women
    Study Suggests Men Who Marry Chubby Women …
    November 28, 2021 0
  • flu-death
    Knowing The Difference Between A Cold And …
    January 24, 2018 0
  • dandelion cancer treatment
    This Unsuspecting Weed Makes Cancer Cells Disintegrate …
    December 15, 2021 0

Health Spirit Body

Health Information For A Better You
Copyright © 2023 Health Spirit Body
About | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT