Winter is here. For some, it’s all hot cocoa and snowy adventures, but for others, the cold and darkness bring a sense of heaviness—a weight that feels hard to shake. How to fight depression in winter is a serious question. It’s no joke. But here’s the twist: what if the key isn’t to fight it? What if the way out is actually the way in?
Stick with me, and we’ll explore how to navigate those cold, dreary days with wisdom borrowed from great spiritual thinkers like Eckhart Tolle, Osho, Sadhguru, and Alan Watts. Spoiler alert: acceptance might just be your secret weapon.
1- Embrace the Darkness: Learning from Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle, the author of The Power of Now, teaches us that our resistance to the present moment is the root of our suffering. Winter blues? They’re no exception. Dealing with seasonal depression, when the world feels gray, try this: stop running from it.
Tolle would tell you to sit with the heaviness instead of trying to escape it. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and feel the weight of the season in your body. Where is it? Is it in your chest? Your stomach? Don’t label it as “bad”—just notice it.
Imagine you’re wrapping a warm blanket around the part of you that feels cold and sad. When you stop resisting, something magical happens: the sadness starts to soften. Like snow melting in the spring sun, your heavy feelings lose their grip when you let them be.
Practical Tip: Dedicate five minutes daily to a “presence practice.” Light a candle, sit in a cozy spot, and observe how winter feels in your body. No judgment, just curiosity.
2- Dance with the Season: Osho’s Playful Perspective
One of the best ways to help seasonal depression is to dance with it. Osho believed life isn’t about serious battles but playful dances. Winter, with its stillness and chill, can feel like an unwelcome guest. But what if, instead of fighting winter’s mood, you danced with it?
Osho would encourage you to lean into the slowness and use it as a time to explore creativity. Journal your thoughts, paint your feelings, or even bundle up and walk barefoot in the snow (yes, he’d totally suggest that). He’d say the problem isn’t winter or your mood—it’s your lack of connection to the now.
Practical Tip: Create a “Winter Ritual.” For instance, every evening, light a fire (or a candle), make some tea, and dance in your living room. Move your body like no one’s watching. Let the rhythm of the music dissolve the sadness within.
3- Turn Inward: Sadhguru’s Call to Reflection
Sadhguru often says that winter is nature’s way of telling us to slow down and turn inward. In fact, it offers cures for seasonal depression. Trees shed their leaves; animals hibernate. So why are we still rushing around?
Take a cue from the yogi: winter is the perfect time for introspection. Use those long nights to meditate or journal. Instead of scrolling endlessly on your phone, ask yourself deeper questions: “What makes me feel alive?” “What am I holding onto that I can let go of?”
Sadhguru might also remind you that winter is a test of balance. It’s easy to overindulge in comfort foods or skip exercise when it’s cold, but staying active and mindful is crucial. Take up yoga, do some light stretches by the fireplace, or just walk in nature, even if it’s freezing.
Practical Tip: How to fight winter depression effortlessly? Start a gratitude journal. Each evening, write down three things you’re grateful for—even if it’s as simple as “I stayed warm today.” Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s present.
4- Accept the Mystery: Gurdjieff’s Philosophy
George Gurdjieff taught that human beings are part of a larger cosmic mystery, and winter is just one piece of that puzzle. Coping with seasonal depression? Gurdjieff might suggest that you don’t need to fix it. Instead, accept it as a part of the great cosmic dance.
He’d ask you to reflect on how you’re connected to the cycles of nature. Winter is a time for stillness and preparation. What if your sadness is part of your own “winter,” preparing you for the next chapter of your life?
Practical Tip: Practice “active acceptance.” The next time you feel down, say to yourself, “This is my winter. It’s not forever, and it’s not wrong.” Then, do something small but nurturing, like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or making soup.
5- Find Joy in Small Things: Lessons from Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, believed that joy is our natural state. One of the causes of seasonal depression is overthinking and not letting ourselves enjoy ourselves. However, even in winter, when life feels tough, tiny sparks of joy can still be found.
Yogananda would remind you that even the simplest things—a beautiful snowfall, the warmth of a good meal, or the sound of laughter—can reconnect you with your inner light. He believed that focusing on these small joys trains your mind to see the good in life, even in challenging seasons.
Practical Tip: Commit to a “joy hunt” every day. Go out and find three small things that make you smile—a bird on a branch, the smell of pine trees, or the way snow crunches under your boots.
6- Let Go of Control: Alan Watts’ Wisdom
Alan Watts had a knack for reminding us that life isn’t something to be controlled but experienced. He’d argue that sad syndrome in winter often stems from wanting life to be different than it is.
What if, instead of wishing for sunny days, you leaned into the coziness of winter? Watts would encourage you to see the beauty in the contrast—cold makes warmth sweeter, darkness makes light brighter.
He’d also remind you that everything is temporary. Just as winter always turns to spring, your low mood will pass. You don’t have to fix it; you just have to let it flow.
Practical Tip: Try a “letting go” meditation. Sit quietly and imagine your sadness as a cloud. Watch it drift by without holding onto it.
How to Fight Winter Depression – Warm Your Soul
While these spiritual teachings offer profound insights, let’s balance them with some everyday winter survival hacks:
- Light Therapy: Invest in a good light therapy lamp. It’s a game-changer for those dark mornings.
- Comfort Food: Cook hearty, nutritious meals like soups and stews. They’re soul-warming and mood-boosting.
- Nature Connection: Even on the coldest days, bundle up and get outside. Fresh air and a little sunlight work wonders.
- Community: Don’t hibernate alone. Invite friends over for a cozy movie night or a potluck dinner.
The Takeaway – Fighting Winter Depression
Winter doesn’t have to be a fight. In fact, the harder you resist, the more it persists. By leaning into the season with acceptance, curiosity, and a touch of spiritual wisdom, you can transform your winter blues into a time of growth, reflection, and even joy.
So this winter, instead of combating seasonal depression, sit with it, dance with it, and let it dissolve into something new. After all, even the coldest winters eventually give way to spring.
