8 Reasons Why Winter Is the Worst (for Grievers)

Holidays and Special Days / Holidays and Special Days : Eleanor Haley



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What’s cold, icy, really uncomfortable, and sometimes makes you sad? Winter, that’s what. You can spare me your affinity for skiing, freshly fallen snow, and curling up by a warm fire because I will swiftly counter with wet socks, slush, and lack of sunlight. Sure winter has its moments, but I find that short days and bone-chilling temperatures are enough to push me over the edge.

This may be especially true for many of you who have to suffer the indignities of winter while also trying to cope with your grief. Grief is an emotional tundra as it is, then winter comes along and paints the landscape frigid and grey to match your mood. Winter can also exacerbate the problems grievers are vulnerable to, like isolation and depression.

Perhaps I'm biased against winter because I've lived through winter in cities like Syracuse, NY and Erie, PA. However, I prefer to think this makes me an expert—which is why I'm going to take the next few minutes to discuss all the reasons why winter is the worst, especially for grievers.


1.  Lack of Sunlight

A lack of sunlight, or the length of the night in some cases, can cause an increase in melatonin and a drop in the neurotransmitter serotonin and Vitamin D.  All of this can throw your mind and body out of whack and leave you feeling tired, irritable, and blue.

Tip: Do what you can to get outside, open the blinds, and hold on until daylight savings time. You can also try sitting in front of a light therapy lamp for a few minutes a day. Amazon has some options that won't break the bank!


2.  Cabin Fever

Cabin fever is not a technical diagnosis, but it is a well-documented phenomenon: It describes a state of restlessness, depression, and irritability brought on by spending time in a confined space or remote area. Think early settlers who spent long winters alone in their cabins. Where grief is concerned, being stuck inside provides you with ample time to ruminate on difficult thoughts and emotions, and to replay unpleasant memories with little distraction.

Tip: It's good to spend time focused on your grief, but also find constructive ways to occupy your mind like puzzles, movies, games, organizing, home repairs, calling a friend, creating art, or writing in your journal.


3. Social Isolation

The predisposition for grievers to withdraw combined with cancelations, problems with transportation, and a desire to avoid the cold and snow can amplify your risk of falling into a cycle of emotional and social isolation. Isolation and loneliness can have a negative impact on your physical and emotional health, which we discussed in detail in this post.

Tip: Get out and go to a mall, store, support group, or place of worship. When possible, push yourself to keep plans—yes, even if it means braving the cold.


4. Not Moving Enough

You already know that even a small amount of exercise can have a marked impact on your physical and emotional health. Obviously, your options for getting out and moving around are limited during the winter. Snowy roads, icy sidewalks, and the cold make it hard to find many opportunities for movement.

Tip: Even though taking an hour-long walk outside might not be possible, look for alternative opportunities to get at least twenty minutes of exercise a day. Try walking outside for shorter intervals, doing exercise videos on YouTube, planning an indoor workout routine, or joining a gym.


5.  The Impact of Food on Mood

Studies show our eating habits change this time of year. The rationale behind this is debatable, as some researchers believe primitive impulses drive humans to stockpile calories in anticipation of short days and cold weather. Others think there's just more opportunity to indulge in the winter, between holidays, time spent inside, and the nostalgic connections associated with food. Regardless, certain foods can have a real impact on mood—for better or worse. Foods that supply our vitamin and nutrient needs and minimize our blood sugar spikes are important to our mental wellbeing.

Tip: Remember that food is what fuels our bodies and brains. You know your body and brain best, so focus on getting the nutrient-rich foods that make you feel good. If you're not even sure what makes you feel good anymore, check out this resource on intuitive eating.


6. It's Cold

That's all. Being cold is torture.

"Winter is not a season, it's an occupation" Sinclair Lewis

7.  You're Sad

For some, the holidays present a storm of grief triggers followed by months of feeling blah. It's possible that the events of November and December have set you adrift on a long grief wave that won't recede until the spring thaw.

Tip: Believe that things will get better and check out our section on coping with grief.


8.  You're SAD.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of major depression that is characterized by symptoms that emerge in fall or early winter and recede during the spring. These symptoms may start out mild and become more severe and include things like irritability, tiredness or low energy, hypersensitivity, heavy feeling in the arms or legs, oversleeping, and appetite changes. It goes without saying that SAD can complicate one's ability to cope with grief and other hardship.

Tip: If you think you might suffer from SAD, read more about it here and talk to your doctor about your concerns.


We invite you to share your experiences, questions, and resource suggestions with the WYG community in the discussion section below.

We invite you to share your experiences, questions, and resource suggestions with the WYG community in the discussion section below.

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21 Comments on "8 Reasons Why Winter Is the Worst (for Grievers)"

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  1. Carson  March 26, 2022 at 11:12 am Reply

    cold poem
    cold feels very old
    lack of the beautiful bright sunlight depression feels like a deep question
    isolation is everywhere in the nation
    hibernation is a station
    Alaska is cold like Nebraska

    Thank you for reading.

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  2. Inspiration  November 15, 2019 at 12:47 pm Reply

    My brother died alone in his house and we discovered him on Christmas day 12/25/17 dead. I was the second person after my nephew in law broke into the house. It has been quite difficult the winter months because we use to talk everyday sometimes into the late night when issues of other things arose. I miss him terribly and when it becomes winter I just can’t help to think how he died on a snowy cold night in his bed where he forgot to turn the heat on. Covered with blankets cause he wanted to save money to pay for his wife’s nursing bills. He was only 68 and he had a wife same age with alzheimers in nsg home. It broke his bank, as well as it broke his heart. I still can seem him sitting here on holidays. I try to avoid things like pictures on holidays cause I miss him terribly. I have siblings that don’t even call me since they all live afar and didn’t develop a close relationship. None of my siblings are close, some say they miss him a little. That brings me to tears cause he was our oldest brother who put up with everyone. In winter months, they are the hardest, so with less people being so sensitive and the emotional brain isn’t there to connect to , I find faith and prayer works the best on mornings.

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  3. Vanessa  October 27, 2019 at 4:24 pm Reply

    My father died last year oct 2018 and this winter I feel the loneliest it’s like reality has set in, I live on my own and work on my own and comes to wkd and cabin fever sets in and I seek out company wherever I can and I’m struggling, no partner to share my life with and the loneliness is palpable I realised I do so much for people and rarely is it reciprocated and when it is I give back 10 fold as I’m that thankful someone cared enough. I dunno what to do to lift this blanket of grief and loneliness. Any advice would be great as the winter is here and I’m dreading it.

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  4. Debbie Abanathy  January 30, 2019 at 11:20 pm Reply

    I lost my husband of 43 years, together 46 years, 1 week before Christmas 2016. We were so close. Went through many tough times in our marriage, but not because of our marriage but because of our son with cancer, and survived a ADHD daughter. Raising our oldest grandson whom I adopted after the passing of my husband. ( My husband and I raised him since he was 1 year old.) So now I’m a mom again of a 11 year old, but he has been strong for me. He is just now starting to feel the grief. Mine has never stopped. I have never been on my own. Took a part time job with an old boss who tells me all the time that he knows it helps and it does. It keeps me busy, but when I walk out from work the tears just roll. I don’t think I’ll ever quit grieving. It feels just like the first day. I’m tired of being sad all the time. My older children think that I should be further along, but he was my life. Just needed to share. Winter and the holidays are the hardest, but I still do what I did when my husband was alive. I host Christmas and Thanksgiving. I try to keep some normalcy, but at the same time we took a vacation to Florida this year and will be going with my little ones’ 5th grade class to Washington DC. Trying new things, but the grief just stays.

  5. Sally  January 15, 2019 at 5:04 pm Reply

    My husband died on January 31. The holidays were bad, but January is worse.

  6. Mary Stanesa  January 15, 2019 at 3:41 pm Reply

    Winter is one of the reasons I have never considered moving south or west in retirement. “To everything, there is a season. And a time for every purpose under heaven.” Nature knows, we need the time of ‘hibernation’.

  7. Cheri Miles  February 6, 2018 at 9:37 pm Reply

    My son past away 7 months ago FOREVER 28. Saying that he loved winter and snow is an understatement…he lived for snowboarding. I currently have mixed feelings about winter and snow. I miss him deeply when I see the winter snow but on the other hand I know he is near me happy enjoying it!

  8. Cheri Miles  February 6, 2018 at 9:37 pm Reply

    My son past away 7 months ago FOREVER 28. Saying that he loved winter and snow is an understatement…he lived for snowboarding. I currently have mixed feelings about winter and snow. I miss him deeply when I see the winter snow but on the other hand I know he is near me happy enjoying it!

  9. Kris Riddell  February 2, 2018 at 12:26 pm Reply

    If there is ever any solace of grief (which there isn’t), winter is preferable). I lost my eldest and most beloved son on November 29th, 2016 at the age of 14. He was a beautiful child and I felt his whole life that it was a gift being his parent. Winter allows solitude and reasons to say no. Plus, my favorite times of the year such as Christmas and Winter Carnival now have the heaviest blankets of sadness.

  10. Kris Riddell  February 2, 2018 at 12:26 pm Reply

    If there is ever any solace of grief (which there isn’t), winter is preferable). I lost my eldest and most beloved son on November 29th, 2016 at the age of 14. He was a beautiful child and I felt his whole life that it was a gift being his parent. Winter allows solitude and reasons to say no. Plus, my favorite times of the year such as Christmas and Winter Carnival now have the heaviest blankets of sadness.

  11. elka  January 9, 2017 at 12:15 pm Reply

    I like the social isolation. I like the dark. I like not having to go outside. When Spring comes, so comes the real agony. Cheerful families, singing birds, forced interactions with people thrilled the sun is shining. Nope, winter is my savior from grief.

    • Michele McDonald  January 18, 2018 at 6:08 pm Reply

      I feel the same way Elka. The quiet helps calm me and the solitude gives me the time I need to process what has happened. I sort of feel at one with the universe in the winter. I always have, and to my surprise it has helped me with my grief. Plus I know it won’t last so i’m enjoying it while it’s here.

  12. Joan  January 3, 2017 at 8:57 pm Reply

    I lost my son October 19, 2016….cancer took him in seven months…then I was faced with holidays and winter…I pray, I cry and I pray…

    • Libby  January 9, 2017 at 11:53 am Reply

      Lost my husband on 14th december so know exactly how you are feeling big hug xx

    • catson  March 26, 2022 at 11:07 am Reply

      it is hard to loose someone

  13. Eric  October 31, 2016 at 10:09 pm Reply

    I actually feel the reverse – it’s summer that brings out all these habits (granted, this also comes from actually having to walk everywhere). Everything is supposed to be “new” and “cheery” again. Well, I’m still numb from losing my mom. I need winter. I need the cold to feel better.

  14. JoAnn  March 7, 2015 at 9:01 pm Reply

    Sandra…I guess we are both looking for help! I replied to one of your posts on FB!
    Nothing seems to help with the loneliness & feeling lost!

  15. Robin Botie  March 3, 2015 at 5:34 pm Reply

    Yup. It’s beautiful out there but so depressing. Even March is gray and cold in Upstate New York. So it’s not over yet. Good time to get involved in a really engaging project. Thanks for this post with all the great information.

    • Eleanor  March 4, 2015 at 9:35 am Reply

      Robin,

      I grew up in Syracuse and my family is still there, so I definitely know what you mean. The winters are grey and looooooong. Hold on for April!!!

      Eleanor

  16. sandra  March 3, 2015 at 1:55 pm Reply

    dont like winter, never did, i dont do outdoor sports in winter, i hibernate like a bear lol. throw grief into the mix and its even worse. cant wait for spring so i can do my walking again. i lost 50 lbs, last year, thanks to my fiance henrys support and us doing a lot of walking, basketball ( which i hadnt played since i was 17!), and tennis, and i have gained it all back, partly because of my grief, ( he died in his sleep from a heart attack july 22 last year), and partly because of winter. next winter i am going to join a gym, or a class, inside, so i can keep some of the weight off.

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