At this time of year, I start to feel sluggish. I'm tired of cold mornings and returning home in the dark. The daily routine has become monotonous. It seems like I can predict every repetitive question from students and colleagues. I'm caught in the winter doldrums.
The winter blues are a real phenomenon related to mood, hormones and light levels. It can start with feelings of tiredness, reduced energy, motivation, or creativity, and a desire to hibernate in a warm, safe place. If the feelings persist or you live somewhere that has a long winter, then these feelings could develop into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is rare in Australia. You can read more about this on Health Direct.
The winter doldrums impact not just adults. So our students can be dragging through the tail end of winter too. I miss the joy of a snow day from when I was growing up in Canada. So while taking care of myself, I try to also improve others' mood and outlook.
Here are four ways to boost the winter mood:
Practical - sometimes buying or knitting a new scarf or pair of gloves helps me get through this dark, chilly period. Alternatively, buying a new summer outfit or gardening tool to use in a few months when the weather improves might boost your spirits.
Playful - I feel the urge to reconnect with the carefree joy of my childhood, so I might bake brownies, lick the batter from the spoon, and then accidentally drop it back into the bowl, requiring another taste. A friend recently organised a group outing to play darts, which I hadn't done before, but it provided the sense of play that I needed.
Healthy - on those bright, sunny winter days, I make sure to spend time outdoors. Walking with a friend, particularly another teacher from a different school, offers a great opportunity for some cathartic venting and gaining perspective. Another way to lift my spirits is to indulge in out-of-season fruit, even if it's expensive. For me, the pop raspberries and blackberries momentarily transports me to a summery state of mind.
Generous - Doing something nice for others can lift your own mood. At school, I might bring the brownies I baked (assuming any batter actually made it into the oven) to share with colleagues. I also look for opportunities to surprise my students, such as giving them extra recess on a sunny day or organising a games afternoon on a Friday.
Let us know in the comments what techniques you use to help yourself or your students combat the winter doldrums.
