February Mental Health Tip of the Month
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
-Psalm 30:5 NKJV-
Winter Blues
The shorter, darker days of winter can affect our mental and physical health by making us start to feel more tired, sad, moodier, and experience more brain fog. All of which can make us move a little slower and our bodies feel heavier. This is what is commonly referred to as the ‘winter blues’. We can all experience a form of this and still be able to function within our normal routines, but for some these symptoms can be more severe than others, which can cause them to not be able to function well at all.
And with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the sadness and loneliness that can come from that only compounds the sad feelings associated with the ‘winter blues’. We all can feel lonely at times, whether we’re single, widowed, or even married. Not having a loved one, missing a loved one, or feeling alone in a marriage can bring feelings of sadness on top of the loneliness. For some of us, the more severe form of this mood slide can be a form of depression described as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Winter Blues vs. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
We may experience symptoms during the winter, but most of us aren’t technically dealing with SAD. Winter blues and SAD may seem similar in a lot of ways but they aren’t the same thing and knowing which one you’re dealing with is important in treatment planning. When compared to SAD, the mood dips of the winter blues are typically more temporary and milder and while you may experience some of the sluggish feelings and feeling less motivated, you’re still able to function in your routines and enjoy daily living.
SAD tends to be a more repeatable, seasonal pattern, and symptoms have to have come back for at least 2 consecutive years in order to be diagnosable. SAD isn’t the occasional seasonal ‘blahs’, the symptoms are more severe and will interfere with daily living such as disconnecting from relationships, having difficulty with basic tasks such as hygiene or doing chores, or even missing work. Some symptoms include persistent, sad, anxious, or ‘empty’ mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, feeling irritable, frustrated, or restless, feeling hopeless, worthless, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, or even physical aches or pains. SAD can also lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts. To overcome suicidal thoughts, (see our article Called To Live: Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts). If you are in crisis and considering suicide, Call or text 988 or head straight to an emergency room. For additional resources, CLICK HERE.
Battling Winter Blues/SAD
While the shorter, darker days are out of our control, we do have control over turning those blues around through mental, emotional, physical and spiritual means. Mentally and emotionally, you can choose to meditate and pray over scripture and find comfort in God’s promises. For example: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) or “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV). Self-care is also very important. Do something for yourself, buy yourself flowers, schedule a massage, get a pedicure or do something that you know brings you joy and renewal. Spending time with friends and family can also help to get your mind and emotions in a better place. If you still find yourself struggling, you may want to consider counseling.
Physical renewal can come in the form of exercise which can give you more energy. Having good sleep hygiene is equally important for rest and energy. Stay hydrated and get plenty of sunlight. Vitamin D can help reduce depression symptoms. If you are unable to get enough direct sunlight, a supplement may be helpful. Finding a hobby can help redirect your focus and help you to find something that you enjoy doing. Spiritual refreshment and renewal can be extremely helpful. Spending time with God in quiet time, resting and meditating can renew our strength. Loving on others and serving others can help get our minds off of our problems and helps to put the focus on others which can help us to find some joy again. Discovering your purpose in life can help you to have something to look forward to and redirect your mind to focus on something more positive. Keeping a gratitude journal can also be helpful in changing those negative thoughts around.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things that we can do to receive some relief from the sadness and loneliness. If you feel that the ‘winter blues’ are starting to hit, choose a strategy from the list above and start with one of those. Just start with one initially and build from there. Small, consistent actions can create some big relief. If you feel that you are still struggling with the ‘winter blues’ or that you may fall into the category of SAD, please seek some professional help if necessary. For resources, CLICK HERE (to find a therapist). We do not have to stay stuck in those negative emotions…we have a choice to do something about it. Choose to bring some joy back into your life and focus on something more positive. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).
Content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental or medical health.
1. Sinrich, J. (2026). Winter blues hitting earlier this year: 10 proven ways to boost your mood. Retrieved from
https://www.newporthealthcare.com/resources/press/winter-blues/
2. Berrett, E. (2024). What causes the valentine’s day blues? Retrieved from https://sustainhealth.fit/lifestyle/valentines-day-blues-causes/
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). What is seasonal affective disorder? Retrieved from
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
4. Bengtson, M. (2026). 7 Scriptures to fight the winter blues: God’s promises to conquer darkness. Retrieved from
https://drmichellebengtson.com/fight-the-winter-blues
5. Everett Christian Counseling. (2026). Five bible passages for seasonal affective disorder. Retrieved from
https://everettchristiancounseling.com/five-bible-passages-for-seasonal-affective-disorder/