Winter is a time of year that brings joy and magic all around. The holiday season is in full swing with family and friends together partaking in holiday cheer, but what happens when the last present is unwrapped, the last cookie eaten, and all the decorations are put away? What happens, then, when the once tolerable cold temperatures and snowy/icy roads that were once overseen by holiday joy are all that remain? How do people choose to spend the rest of winter while waiting for the warmer months?

Do people spend the remaining winter months indoors counting down the days till they can walk outside without the need of a jacket and boots or are they outside living life to its fullest, building snowmen, sledding, ice fishing, doing thrill seeking activities because they can now enjoy the beauty of the winter season and that it’s more than just two months filled with holiday pageantry?

The truth is winter has lots to offer apart from flashy holidays. It's more than just the month of December when we celebrate. There's much to appreciate in January, February, and March as well. One simply can't stop living just because they don't like the temperature, but should rather be motivated at what's ahead looking forward. Winter gives us the groundwork for a beautiful spring, summer, and fall. What is it about the holidays that make people forget about the winter season at its beginning, when the rest of winter has holidays to celebrate as well, like Valentine’s Day and St Patrick's Day.

Instead of viewing winter as dreadful, why not view it as the season of magic and beauty, not just because of the holidays, but because of the feeling children get when they wake up to a blanket of snow meaning that they get a snow day, a day with no school just spent playing outside with friends and siblings building snowmen, having neighborhood snowball fights, sledding, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

It is true that work is a major factor as to how people view the season. Some see the season as a chore and nothing more. They see endless shoveling, salting roads, dangerous travel conditions that could affect something as easy as going to the grocery store. Whereas others who don’t experience the winter blues focus on the joys and see that life doesn't stop at 40 degrees and lower.

Winter Blues is a real disorder that affects a lot of the world's population, which is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD1 for short. According to the Mayo Clinic website, there are many symptoms that come into play when determining if one has SAD. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating, oversleeping, a constant sluggish feeling, and losing interest in activities you’d otherwise enjoy. Treatments for SAD range from phototherapy and possibly medications.

Winter blues is something that we all experience at all different levels, even if you love the winter and the activities that are only available during this time of the year. One can still experience these feelings just on a smaller scale. The same people who enjoy the winter season may experience seasonal depression during the warmer months, just waiting for the first snowfall to occur. To some, warm weather can be seen as a hindrance to their fun.

A season of joy and a season of waiting for the next one to start, winter leaves individuals with many emotions. People can enjoy the season of being with family and friends during the holidays, and then feel let down once they return to the normal day-to-day routine. You become excited for the first snowfall, but unless you love the activities that the snow brings, life becomes more of a chore as winter drags on. Some people avoid it by moving to warmer climates during the winter whereas others learn to enjoy it by participating in various activities that the season brings. Perhaps the best way to deal with winter is to take it one day at a time. Remember winter is all about preparing for spring!

Finally, as winter melts into spring, people begin to emerge from their cozy homes to enjoy the fresh spring air and sunshine. Although in early spring, winter still tries to hang on with unexpected snowstorms that result in us finding ourselves back indoors, remembering how tired we are of winter. Once we have felt the first breeze of spring, we know that the lingering winter weather will soon be over. Soon, we will be able to shed our winter garb and come out of our cocoons of winter clothing. People affected by allergies, such as pollen that comes from everything blooming, are now longing for more days of winter and fewer of the warmer months. Those who are seen spending time outside in the snow are now the ones hibernating indoors in order to keep their sniffles and puffy eyes under control. While every individual has their seasonal preferences, most of us welcome spring after a long, cold winter.

References

1 Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) on Mayo Clinic.