How to Beat the Winter Blues and Maintain Your Creativity

During the colder months, it’s not uncommon to have a harder time getting out of bed, staying focused, or coming up with creative ideas. This can be an issue in the creative industry when so much of your job relies on being able to think clearly and be innovate and colorful in your approach to situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) typically starts in the fall or early winter and goes away once spring or summer return. Symptoms include having low energy and social withdrawal or feeling like hibernating. Whether it’s just mild winter blues or seasonal affective disorder, there are ways to combat it.We talked to an Art Director about how she powers through the winter blues even when she feels like staying in bed sometimes. She shared her best tips with us below.Set deadlines.When you know you have a job to do, you can’t let something that’s out of your control take hold of your professional life. Setting deadlines helps enforce timelines, and these kinds of goals will help to create some order. Listen to motivational music.
Listening to music can take you to another place. Sometimes the sounds of nature will help you transcend into another dimension of imagination, or help you to get in touch with feelings. A lot of creativity comes from a place of deep emotion, and if you can’t get in touch with this because you’re frozen to the bone and feeling sad, music is a great way to combat that. Go for a massage, or create a mini spa treatment for yourself at home.
If possible, sneak out during lunch or after work for a 20-30 minute shoulder massage. It will warm and relax you. Anything like this that can calm your senses will help you get in touch with your creative side. If you aren’t able to go for a massage, pick up some of your favorite lotion or a massage bar. Creating a mini spa situation at home may do the trick! Try using essential oils.Essential oils like lavender or orange blossom can help to wake all of your senses up, including your mind and creative thinking skills. You can use them either in an essential oil diffuser, or put a dab of the scent on your rest and smell it during moments when you feel stressed or discouraged.If the trouble persists, look into medication for greater mental health concerns.When troubles with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), winter blues, or anxiety persist outside of the winter months, there should be no shame in seeking out therapy or psychiatry to find a prescription that’s right for you. Sometimes these things are not in your control and medication for anxiety or depression may truly help you get back on track.Christmas and New Years are around the corner and, whether you’re fighting the winter blues or not, the Elysian team has faith you’ll finish the year strong. If feelings of sadness or irritation beyond seasonal affective disorder persist, the 24/7 suicide hotline is available here. The crisis text line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741.We wish you happy holidays, and look forward to giving more tips and tricks in 2018!All the best