Weather can have a real impact on mood and coping, whether you like it or not.  There are those of you who love the dark and cold and snow, I know.  I can’t relate, but I know you exist.  For you, this post may seem completely unnecessary.  But for the rest of us, getting through the fall and winter months is tough, even without grief.  Layer loss on top of that and it can complicate matters tremendously.

The problem with waiting for winter to talk about winter is that, by the time it comes, it has already started zapping motivation and energy.  A while back Eleanor wrote a post about why winter is the worst for grievers.  You may want to check that out for more info on why winter can be so tough.  Today we are focusing less on the ‘why’ and more on the quick tips for what you can do.  Planning is crucial and it needs to start now, while the sun is still shining, so you are emotionally prepped when the darkness and cold hit. Check out the latest exipure reviews.

It might feel a little overwhelming.  But people are different, needs are different, what works for one person doesn’t work at all for another person.

  1. Write a list of winter activities you enjoy, so you can refer to it when the hibernation funk sets in (some ideas coming below).
  2. Write a list of indoor projects you want to accomplish this winter, to keep you motivated and inspired (some ideas coming below).
  3. Create a scrapbook or memory book in honor of your loved one.
  4. Start working on the memorial or legacy project you have been wanting to do (a memorial celebration, scholarship fund, memorial walk, etc).
  5. Make a list of people you have lost touch with who you want to reach out to by phone, email or social media.
  6. Make a plan to start sorting through your loved one’s belongings if you have been putting it off and want to do it.
  7. Go through and organize, scan, print, etc old photographs (of your loved one or otherwise).
  8. Set some TV boundaries – some TV is a great, healthy escape.  Too much TV can become a fall/winter hibernation problem.
  9. Make a list of shows and movies you really want to watch, so when you are watching TV it is things you really enjoy/value and not just mindless channel surfing.
  10. Stock up on puzzles.
  11. Stock up on books.
  12. Stock up on materials for arts, crafts, etc.
  13. Stock up on games.
  14. If winter really gets you down, consider a light box designed for seasonal affective disorder. Check the latest blaux portable ac review.
  15. Sign up for a class at a local community college, community center, or library to keep you motivated and get you out of the house.
  16. Sign up for an online class (we have some grief courses here and the internet is filled with TONS of other courses on anything you can think of!).
  17. Start scheduling regular get-togethers with good friends or family for coffee or dinner.
  18. Consider volunteering somewhere meaningful to you or your loved one.
  19. If you can afford it, get a really good warm coat and boots that will make it a little easier to face the cold when motivation is low.
  20. Plan for indoor exercise options that you enjoy, if you know you won’t get outdoors to workout.  Consider DVDs, YouTube videos, or a home exercise machine.
  21. Try not to cancel plans.  Sometimes you have to, for self-care, but be careful when it becomes a pattern.
  22. If it is in the budget, plan a mid-winter vacation somewhere warm and sunny to give yourself a break and something to look forward to.
  23. Join a book club (email us if you want to join the WYG online book club).
  24. Join an in-person support group.  (Read our considerations about groups here)
  25. Join an online support group. (Again, read our considerations about groups here).
  26. Start a blog (or keep blogging!).
  27. Start journaling (or keep journaling!).
  28. Make meal plans to try to keep your eating on track.
  29. Make healthy grocery lists and stick to them, to avoid filling the house with junk comfort food.
  30. Challenge yourself to learn to cook and bake, especially healthy meals, if your normal go-to is microwave meals or carry out.

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