As we shift into another month, the last month of summer vacation, my mind drifts into fall especially as I walk outside to feel 68-degree temperatures and overcast skies. I’m reminded of last October when me and many others I know were hit hard and hit early by seasonal depression. I’m guessing it was pandemic fatigue coupled with decreased daylight and the knowledge that we had yet another uncertain indoor masked winter ahead. Regardless, it was brutal, and it took me by surprise. Usually, fall is my favorite season. The Hudson Valley where I live is particularly beautiful with colorful leaves and crisp temperatures. It feels like a new beginning. My birthday is in late September, and I love to clear the decks, set new goals, and take stock of my life. But last fall, I found myself feeling despondent and zapped of all energy. I was unmotivated, unhappy, and unable to peel myself offer the couch unless I absolutely had to. This kind of downturn usually does not happen until well into January.
This year I’m going to start thinking about it now. I want to prepare myself while I have the energy and wherewithal to do so. I want to shore myself up to prevent a repeat of last year’s misery and Im going to suggest that everyone else who has a tendency toward depression do the same. To that end, I will begin this week by working to build mastery, a DBT skill that encourages mindfully doing something that makes you feel good every day. My goal is to gently challenge myself to do things that will build up a reserve of positive energy in my mind and body.
Usually, after the rush to get the kids out the door to camp or school I sit on the couch, drink coffee, listen to an audio book and play candy crush. There is nothing wrong with doing that. However, I know it simply passes time and doesn’t make me feel good or masterful. This morning, instead of being a morning couch potato, I did yoga. It was a short Boho Beautiful: Wake Up Yoga for All.
The yoga felt great. It was bit harder than I normally like. I passed on the Flipped Dog Pose, and I did a modified Half Moon Pose, but in general I enjoyed it. Afterword, I experienced a feeling of elation coursing through my body, an unexpected treat. It didn’t last long, but it was a nice signal that I was on the right track with the yoga.
Unfortunately, later in the day my IT band seized up and I was unable to walk without pain. I’m not going to blame the yoga; I think it was an old problem that likely was exacerbated by the yoga. And that leads me to tomorrow’s depression fighting activity. I’m getting a massage. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you how it goes. If you’d like to join me in staving off seasonal depression, please let me know what you did today to build mastery and elicit feel good emotions.
If you connected with what you read here, and you want to work with me, go to my website, rebekahshackney.com and send a message through my contact page. An audio version of the Accessing Wise Mind is available on my podcast, A Therapist Takes Her Own Advice.