Tips To Manage Your Mood During Seasonal Changes

Is your mood being affected as we head into the cooler months?

As summer comes to an end, it’s important to know that seasonal changes can often affect our mood.

Here’s what our therapists recommend to manage low mood during changing seasons:

1. Create a bucket list of things you want to do in each season (i.e. spring, summer, fall, winter).

Whether it be something new or old, it’s important to give yourself activities to look forward to. Doing so may help combat symptoms related to low mood, such as withdrawal and isolation.

Emilia Pacholec, Registered Psychotherapist

2. Build in little moments throughout the day that soothe your senses.

Go ahead and savour that pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate, sit by a crackling fire, feel your boots crunching through leaves or snow, watch your favourite seasonal movies – whatever speaks to you and brings you small pockets of joy.

Shanen Smith, Registered Psychotherapist

3. Increase all of the natural light you can!

Open up those blinds/curtains and invest in natural light simulating light bulbs. Not only can natural light help ward off seasonal depression, it also improves sleep, increases energy levels and boosts your immune system.

Camila Espana, Registered Social Worker

4. Yoga!

Practicing yoga is a great way to stay present and enjoy the little things, especially during the cooler months, when it can be hard to do so.

Mary Mikhail, Registered Social Worker

Written by Lauren Urie