Happy Girl Winter: How to Overcome Seasonal Depressive Disorder

By Eli Jones

Today I went for a walk. I wrapped up in my scarf and coat and went outside to breathe in the cold air and look at the frost covering the ground. I held my boyfriend’s hand as we skidded down the icy hill and smiled as I watched the sun go down behind the canal, creating a pastel-coloured painting in the sky. I felt content.

Despite all this joy, a sinking sensation remained in the pit of my stomach telling me that this feeling wouldn't last. By the time I finished work the next day, I knew that darkness would have taken over and I would be a prisoner in my flat, stuck on the sofa feeling guilty for missing what little daylight there is this time of year.

For many people, it feels like winter comes around faster than any other season. It stays the longest and often makes the most impact on your mental health. The days get shorter, the darkness draws in and it feels impossible to keep up with the routine you mastered during your Hot Girl Summer. This year, I have decided to keep my spirits high and begin my Happy Girl Winter.

Hot Girl Summer became a huge social media trend that encouraged women and girls to look after themselves and be confident so they could enjoy their summer on a whole new level. This allowed women to experience their summers completely unapologetically. I have been trying to carry this mentality into the winter months.

There is a reason behind the awful feelings that come along with dark. Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD (very fitting, I know), is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in winter when daylight hours are shorter. However, some people experience SAD during the spring or early summer.

Although there are no official reasons why SAD occurs, there are theories that the change in daylight disrupts our bodies’ release of melatonin, which produces sleep. This process is part of our biological clock, which is cued up with natural morning light, meaning that the melatonin may be released later and then wear off later.

I get dragged down from around mid-October time, but this year I managed to stay positive until a few weeks into November. I have found that romanticising everything and tricking my brain into thinking everything is good and happy really helped. In the past, I’ve found myself saying ‘I hate winter’ multiple times a day during these months, whether it's towards the cold flat or the inconvenience of having to de-ice your car, but I never take the time to cherish the parts of winter that I enjoy.

Certain parts of winter do create a sense of comfort for me, like seeing frozen cobwebs on your car, or finally seeing a sunrise on your way to work in the morning. But my personal favourite is watching the relief of someone walking into a warm pub and seeing them relax their shoulders, smile and blow into their hands before ordering their drink.

I usually find it hard to embrace all the Christmas festivities, especially in the last few years. A lot of grief is bought up during this period, which is why I have forced myself to savour all aspects of Christmas. Like when we came home from that walk I mentioned, we put the tree up – putting on Christmas music and the Netflix fireplace to really make the most out of the activity.

Something we all learned during our hot girl summers is that routine works, whether that is skincare, exercise or meeting up with friends. Although it is harder to keep up with hot girl walks and leaving the house feels harder when it’s cold, if you know it’s detrimental to your mental health when you don’t do it, it is important to prioritise this.

I have never found the gym fun, though I love going on walks. But when I finish work in the dark, like most people, there isn’t anywhere safe for me to walk, so I make sure to plan walks on my days off. I am also trying (big emphasis on trying) to get up before my shifts and go outside because if I start my day right, I will remain in high spirits for the rest of the day.

During the colder months it’s hard to keep up with hobbies, especially if they involve being outside, so it’s a good idea to have a backup hobby that makes you feel joy that you can do from the comfort of your home. I start new hobbies all the time because I like to be busy; the two I have been consistent with are embroidery and candle making. With Christmas coming up, it’s the perfect time to learn – who doesn’t love a homemade gift?

Inside hobbies are also a great way to make friends, with painting classes, pottery cafes and quiz nights readily available. If during the summer months you were constantly with friends in beer gardens or parks enjoying the sun, why not invite them round for a game’s night, or do your own version of come dine with me?

A massive part of hot girl summer is the building of healthy habits. We spent the summer perfecting our skin care routine, keeping on top of cleaning our spaces and eating three nutritious meals a day. This shouldn’t have to stop! Take the time to moisturise and do your skin care after a shower, play music and treat yourself to a mini pamper every night before getting into your favourite pyjamas. Pick your favourite meal of the day and take your time with it: put on your favourite playlist and have fun whilst you cook.

The last habit to keep up with, and probably the hardest to stick to, is tidying. Cleaning can be the most draining thing to do but it has to be done, and you know you will feel so much better for it. Tackle it room by room. If that feels too hard, take it section by section: floor, sides, and bed. Then move to the next room and repeat. Always light a candle once you’re finished to finalise the process.

It is easy to look at the world through a glass half empty, but when you change your perspective, you really can see the beauty in anything. I wish you all a Happy Girl Winter.