As the weather turns cold, I feel more vulnerable. I have noticed that this seems to be a common occurrence for people my age. The cold weather makes us miss those we love, and living away from home can become tougher in the winter months.

It’s extremely important to practice self care during the winter months to avoid seasonal depression. Seasonal depression is a very real condition that reflects the fickle nature of our emotions in relation to the weather. The lack of warm weather can cause us to feel helpless, and we find ourselves stuck in bed all day. While it can be okay to take a day to rest in bed, it’s important to get up and become active.

I try to make a cup of coffee every winter morning to get me going. Sometimes I will take a warm bath and curl up in bed with a book or a nice movie. I try to see my friends and loved ones every day so that I don’t feel lonely.

Some days prove to be harder than others, but as long as we are patient with ourselves, we will prevail.