Changing Emotions with the Seasons
Published on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
Written by Connor Molloy, Psychotherapist, MSW, LICSW
Seasons are nothing new to Afghans, but one aspect that may be new to Afghans living in Minnesota is the harshness of the winters here. No one can control or alter the fact that the seasons will change, but everyone can control how they prepare for it.
One important way to prepare is to get additional clothes that can protect you from the cold. Warm hats, boots, snow pants, jackets, mittens, and scarves go a long way to making the freezing weather more bearable. This can get expensive, especially for big families. Afghan Cultural Society has a free clothing closet at their community center where you may be able to find some winter clothing. Additionally, thrift stores such as Goodwill, Savers, and St. Vincent De Paul often have very affordable winter clothes, especially if you start shopping in October.
Another way to prepare for winter is to prepare for the negative spiritual and emotional effects winter in Minnesota can have. The main reason winter can be difficult for people is the lack of sunlight. Winter days are much shorter and less sunny in Minnesota. Reduced sunlight can directly lead to low energy and mood, a decrease in stress tolerance, and a decrease in ability to keep one’s mood level. One way to be proactive about this is to treat yourself with artificial sun, which can be achieved with special lamps that replicate the effects of the light from the sun. These are known as “Happy Lights” and can provide a boost in mood and energy with consistent use. Typically, people will turn on a happy lamp first thing every morning and use it for 20 – 30 minutes for optimum effectiveness. You could use this time to stretch, pray, or read the newspaper under the light of the lamp. Consider what is best for your personal routine.
Sleep is another thing that can be affected by the change in sunlight. It is important to avoid consuming too many caffeinated beverages, as excess caffeine disrupts sleep, and this can be harmful to your overall mood.
Larger quantities of caffeine can also cause anxiety and headaches for some people. If you drink a lot of coffee or tea during the day, consider switching to decaf in the afternoon to help maintain your sleep schedule
Another way to fend of the “winter blues” (as they are sometimes called) is to make sure that you continue to move your body by walking. When winter makes the beautiful and affordable parks and lakes more of a challenge to access, it can be easier to stay in your home were sitting more frequently is inevitable. One way around this is to find somewhere indoors to walk. Some options for people living in Minnesota are shopping malls and the Como Conservatory.
A final way to be proactive about the negative effects is through prayer and mantra. Many Muslims use tasbeeh beads during prayer, and the tactile experience of counting the beads combined with repeating the mantras can help you refocus and calm your mind if you are experiencing negative thoughts and emotions.