Cultivated Zen

Winter really feels like a marathon most years. The never ending darkness, cold weather, and general dreary nature of the world bites hard. As the season appears to have shifted recently with the change in weather and darker mornings, we’ve decided to help you with planning how to stop going crazy in the winter. 

If you start early enough, before the tight grip of melancholy or anxiety sets in, you might not just survive the winter months but thrive in them. Here’s how you can build your inner armoury and make winter a time for growth, reflection, and renewal.

Why is anxiety worse in winter? What research says about winter and mental health

Research consistently links Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with winter’s shorter days and lack of sunlight. SAD can lead to feelings of depression, general fatigue, and withdrawing from social times.  

The lack of sunlight affects our production of serotonin—a key mood-regulating hormone. Additionally, shorter days and cold weather often keep us indoors, leading to feelings of isolation, lack of physical activity, and a disrupted routine. These factors can amplify anxiety.

Accepting winter’s unique pace—slower, more contemplative—and using it as a time for inner growth can significantly reduce these negative effects. The key is to see mindset and perspective as a key variable that you can control.  

Why is winter so bad for me? Define your problem in the first place. 

If you’re wondering how to stop going crazy in the winter, it’s helpful to look back on last year.

So what were your hardest moments? Did you feel lonely, disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply bored? Journaling can be a powerful way to observe patterns in your behavior and emotions.

By recognizing what went wrong last year, you can prepare better for this season.

• Exercise: Start a winter journal. Every few days, or when you notice feeling winter’s bite, write down how you feel. Try and note any mood changes, physical sensations, or thoughts. Over time, you’ll notice patterns that can guide how you approach the winter months ahead in your life. 

Build your armoury

Winter often magnifies emotional struggles. I find this is a time of year when I feel really magical about the shift in energy, but also notice that the darker times are really dark. 

It’s like at Halloween, when the veil between the living and dead is thinner. In winter, the gap between my long held demons and my sanity seems to shrink every day with each evening that arrives a bit earlier evey day. 

Whether it’s seasonal depression, a drop in self-confidence, or unhealthy habits like excessive drinking, the dark and cold months can push our resilience to the limit. So this year I’ve decided to build an “armoury” of tools to protect mental health.

Hypnosis, for example, is an awesome way to do this. It signifies an important intent on your behalf to change how you think, and reprogramme your thinking habits. It also draws in the help of others, injecting much needed energy and light when you crave it so much. You won’t need to think about how to stop going crazy in the winter because the subconscious re-programme of the brain will make it much easier.

Research shows that hypnosis helps reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while also improving self-confidence and emotional regulation. By using hypnosis or guided meditation, you can reprogram your mind to approach winter with strength and resilience.

• Tip: Explore online hypnosis apps or recordings tailored to specific issues like confidence-building, combating depression, or managing unhealthy habits. Try The Hypnotist, Adam Cox on an app like Spotify. 

Prioritize the good things: Be a warrior of the cold

Winter doesn’t just have to be about survival—it can be a season of thriving if you shift your perspective. 

Instead of retreating from the cold, embrace it. For instance, consider setting a challenging fitness goal like training for a marathon, taking up winter sports, or simply committing to outdoor walks. 

One winter I managed to regularly get up in the cold dark mornings at 6am, and go out for a run. It was so hard at first, but slowly I forged a habit and began to feel like I was the light in the darkness. 

No one else was up, even the sun. This was one of the most productive and positive things I had ever done and so I burst a flame of ownership and pride that helped me light the way in the cave of winter. 

• Tip: Focus on one thing you love or really want to achieve, and dedicate time to it. Whether it’s doing push ups, getting better at art, or even catching up on that new year’s resolution to read more. Imagine who you could be and aim single mindedly at that. 

Own the season, and see winter as a time to prove your strength.

Have an autumn clean

Many of us prepare for spring by having a traditional de-clutter and tidy up in the house. In finding how to stop going crazy in the winter, why not have an autumn clean too? It’s a way to acknowledge the change in season, and to change your home space so it’s ready for your shift in energy too. 

I like to engage in more indoor, deep focus activities when the nights get darker. Making a space for hobbies like drawing or music, and putting away the summer gear really helps to bring my kingdom along my journey with me. 

During the daylight hours, you might also want to engage in building and maintaining. If you own a house or property, then fix up those nagging jobs you’ve put off. These small jobs signify the protection of your home and soul against the winter cold and dark. The release of them from your subconscious also does wonders for your peace of mind. 

Plan for spring: Look forward to growth

While winter is a time for rest and reflection, planning for the future helps lift your spirits. Spring is a time of rebirth, so why not start thinking about what you want to grow—literally or metaphorically—when it arrives?

• Exercise: Create a “Spring Dreamboard.” or list. Use images, words, or symbols that represent your goals and dreams for the months ahead. Keep this vision alive during the darker months by reminding yourself that winter is a time to prepare for what’s coming. Plan your Equinox! 

The spiritual side of winter: Embracing the darkness

Winter is a time of deep spiritual significance. Many spiritual traditions, including Paganism, view winter as a period of introspection and renewal. Pagans celebrate the Winter Solstice (Yule), the longest night of the year, which symbolizes the rebirth of the sun. It’s a time to honor the darkness while looking forward to the returning light.

The lessons of winter: Rest, reflect, rebirth

Winter teaches us the value of rest and reflection. Just as nature slows down, we too are invited to pause, reflect on the past year, and prepare for the new one. In this stillness, there is space for transformation and spiritual growth. 

Writers like Greg Mckeown tell us of the importance of doing less and stripping away the distractions. With darker nights, we tend to slow down and look inward more. This can be a time of deep rebirth, and a pinnacle junction in your life. Don’t waste it. 

• Spiritual Practice: Introduce small, meaningful rituals into your daily life. Light a candle at sunset to honor the passing day, sip herbal tea mindfully, or practice meditation to center yourself.you might light candles at dusk to honor the day’s end or use meditation to connect with your inner self. Embrace the quiet, and see it as an opportunity for deep reflection and spiritual regeneration.

How to stop going crazy in the winter? Sometimes you need to escape and seek the sun

If winter feels too overwhelming, sometimes the best medicine is a change of scenery. If possible, plan a trip to a sunny destination, even if it’s just for a few days. Escaping the darkness can refresh your mind and spirit.

• Tip: If travel isn’t an option, find ways to bring light and warmth into your daily life. Use a sun lamp to mimic natural light, indulge in warm baths, and surround yourself with colors and smells that remind you of summer.

Zen word on how to stop going crazy in the winter 

Winter offers a natural opportunity for deep introspection. The slower pace and longer nights invite us to turn inward, reflect, and nurture our spiritual needs. Lighting candles, creating a warm, sacred space, and acknowledging the challenges of winter can help you find peace amidst the cold.

Many of us wonder how we can stop going crazy in the winter.  You’re not alone. 

Embrace the natural energy shift, be at one with the earth, and use it as a time to come back a better version of yourself. 

This winter will be your best.