The Winter Blues Effect on Relationships

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus


It’s that time of year again - bleak, cold, dreary and depressing. The only place you want to be is in front of a lovely fire with a mug of hot chocolate in your hands. As winter creeps in, however, it brings about many changes, and even though some people will suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to these changes, the dark months can take its toll on everyone. Our relationships are not immune to the winter blues, and as we are usually affected by our partner’s moods; rest assured if they are going through the winter blues, then you may end up feeling the same way.

Instead of inviting the gloomy weather into your relationship, here are a few tips to chase away those winter blues:

• Wake up and welcome the day simply by saying something kind to your partner. One kind word can warm up a cold dreary morning, and leave you feeling warm for the rest of the day.

• Communicate about how you are feeling to your partner and understand that just like the seasons, relationships are made up of ebbs and flows. If the winter is leaving you feeling down in the dumps, let your partner know. A shared understanding means you are on the same page when dealing with those destructive moods.

• Initiate change and revitalise your relationship. Try something new and just a little bit naughty. Very often relationships become stuck in a rut, and during the winter months it’s very easy to let them remain that way. Try joining a dance class together, and if you never learn to dance properly, at least you will have lots of fun and laughter trying.

• Exercise of any kind will release those feel good endorphins, not to mention that all important keeping fit. Find an exercise that suits you both and that you enjoy.

• Try yoga at home and get your partner involved. It will bring about presence of mind, lift your mood, challenge you and get the blood flowing. You will also sleep better which in itself is a tonic.

• Make good use of those long dark winter evenings by turning them into romantic interludes. Set the scene, put some candles on the table, dim the lights and who knows where the evening will lead. A little bit of imagination goes a long way here.

• If you can, go for a brisk walk at lunch-time. It is so important to make the most of daylight hours, and you will return to the office feeling revitalised with your spirits lifted.

• During the week get together with friends. It can be a night out or invite friends over. Socialising helps to minimise those feelings of sadness.

• This is the perfect time of year to re-decorate. Add splashes of colour inside and keep the grey dismal weather outside. Put your heads together and get creative (you might surprise yourself).

• Plan a mini-getaway. It is always good at this time of year to have something to look forward to. It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip, simply a change of scenery will do where you can re-connect with your partner. Perhaps a trip to the snow where you can combine all that fun with those romantic evenings in front of a log fire.

It is important to remember that the Winter Blues are only temporary, and Spring is around the corner. By focusing on your relationship during this time however, means you will then set yourself up for the rest of the year. Give it a try and keep those Winter Blues at bay this year.

#life
#happiness
#love
#attitude
#change
#emotions
#motivation
#advice

%selfavenue