Happy New Year! A new year for many of us means new habits, new goals, and even working towards a new outlook. There’s so much pressure for new beginnings, different routines, and fresh starts. We’re expecting ourselves to feel rejuvenated and motivated. 

We need to remember it is still the middle of winter. The days are short and cold. A lot of us are going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. Animals seem to know what’s up, since lots of them are still hibernating. 

For some of us though, who may struggle with depression or depressive moods, it can set up feelings of being a failure or not being ‘enough.’ Goal setting in the new year can be a powerful motivator to start the year off with habits we want to improve or see more of. Now don’t get me wrong, setting goals can be wonderful for many, but added to navigating life with epilepsy, they can feel like another thing to manage. 

All these feelings from this pressure while being cooped inside due to the frigid temperatures we have had can lead to being hyper critical of ourselves. These emotions layered on top of each other have been known as “winter blues.” 

Some of these feelings can be typical for folks to experience as the winter is in full swing. However, there are some who may experience them and need some help from a professional. If you are noticing that there are more of these days, that is a strong indicator to be seeking additional support. Adopting coping skills that work for you is a way to find balance in managing these feelings, as well as stressors that can come up. If you are looking to try a new coping skill, we shared some of our favorites from the staff at EFNENY in a recent blog!

If you’re feeling sluggish and tired, that’s completely natural. Taking it slowly and being kind to yourself during this season is important, as we know the next will be here before we know it.