Why do you feel particularly down and depressed in the winter?

Hello, landlord! I'm smiling.

After reading your description, I understand your question better. I'm here to help.

From what you said, it's clear that people tend to feel depressed and down in the winter. There are a few reasons for this: firstly, the weather is cold, and if it's cloudy, it makes people feel worse because the cold weather is uncomfortable. Most people still prefer warmer, more suitable seasons.

The second point is that in the cold season, people's mobility is low. This makes it easy to be reminded of things and think of scenes that make you more emotional. It's natural to think about a lot of things.

The third point is a finding from research. The first theory suggests that a lack of serotonin in the body may be the cause. Research has shown that full-spectrum artificial light can change winter depression by stimulating the production of serotonin. The second theory suggests that a dysfunction of the melatonin produced by the pineal gland may be the cause.

I have also summarized some methods to help you alleviate the current situation, and I am confident that they will help you to some extent.

(1) You should increase the time you spend exercising outdoors, especially when the weather is nice, and go out into the sun more often to increase your exposure to sunlight.

(2) When you're feeling down, take control. Chat, exercise, listen to music, write in a diary – do whatever helps you feel better. Don't let negative emotions take over.

(3) It is normal to have these emotions. The host can and should adjust his current emotions and not let the weather affect his mood too much.

(4) Distract yourself by doing something you enjoy. Stay busy.

(5) Get a good night's sleep and eat a balanced diet. You'll have more energy. It'll also have a positive effect on your body and mind.

The world and I love you.

Best regards,

Greetings.

You are adept at discerning patterns. Indeed, all things flourish with the sun, including humans. Rainy days, particularly during the winter months, can induce feelings of lethargy and despondency.

The growth cycle of all things is characterized by four distinct phases: spring growth, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage. Yesterday marked the Great Snow Solstice, one of the 24 solar terms. This period is associated with the peak of yin energy. However, as evidenced by historical and astronomical records, when things reach their extreme, they will reverse. In another 15 days, at the Winter Solstice, it will be the time of yang growth. Yang energy will gradually increase, while yin energy will gradually decrease. This phenomenon is reflected in the adage, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

Although winter can induce feelings of depression and lack of motivation, it is important to consider the underlying principles of the natural world, including the cyclical changes of the seasons and the concept of yin and yang. Our bodies also undergo changes in response to the changing seasons. The question, then, is how our bodies adapt to these changes. The answer lies in the necessity for our bodies to undergo repair. Following a year of activity and excitement, our bodies require a period of rest and storage of yang energy in preparation for the winter months.

It is recommended to retire for the night at an early hour and rise at a late one. The head is the meeting place of all yang energy, so it is especially important to keep the head and neck warm in winter. A diet of warm, nourishing food is beneficial, with lamb being a suitable option.

In considering the act of collecting, one might draw an analogy with the changing seasons. Prior to storing away garments that are no longer suitable for the current time of year, it would be logical to assume that one would first wash them.

It is also important to note that the body requires regular cleansing of its energy. For those interested, there are numerous online resources available for full moon meditation. The 15th day of the lunar calendar is an optimal time for cleansing the energy. It is beneficial to release any emotions that are causing suppression, whether through writing or painting. The energy of winter can be compared to silk products, which require gentle washing to avoid damaging them. It is essential to avoid extreme emotions during this period.

I am a psychological counselor, Zhang Huili. It is my hope that my response will prove beneficial to you. Should you find it useful, I would be grateful if you would indicate your appreciation by clicking the "like" button.

Good morning.

It may be helpful to remember that our emotions can be influenced by changes in our environment. This is why it can be beneficial to pay more attention to our emotions and give ourselves the necessary energy replenishment and support. This can help us deal with environmental changes and build up our psychological resilience and preparedness.

Could you kindly shed some light on why winter tends to make people feel more depressed?

The year is divided into four seasons, which are determined by the time of year when the sun is directly overhead at the equator and at the Tropic of Capricorn, and at the Tropic of Cancer. Winter is the last season of the year, with an average temperature below 10 degrees Celsius, a large temperature difference between morning and night, and reduced sunlight exposure. This has a significant impact on the human body.

Firstly, it is worth noting that the body's metabolism tends to slow down during the winter months, which can affect the production of certain hormones. This can result in a general feeling of low energy and lethargy.

Secondly, it is worth noting that the reduced light and low temperatures in winter may not be conducive to exercise and sports. With insufficient mental energy and the greyness of the light, it is not uncommon to feel tired and depressed.

Additionally, winter can bring about other environmental influences, such as work disruptions, strained interpersonal relationships, and feelings of anxiety. These can also contribute to mood swings and depression.

How might we improve the emotional depression caused by the winter environment?

It may be helpful to maintain a regular exercise routine to restore mental energy. Since winter is an objective environmental influence, following the objective laws and adjusting one's body in a timely manner to maintain health and a good state of mind could be a way to resist internal pressure and emotional depression.

For instance, feelings of sleepiness in the spring, fatigue in the autumn, daytime drowsiness in the summer, and late bedtimes in the winter may be influenced by external factors. It may be helpful to maintain a certain level of physical activity throughout the day and to prioritize mental stimulation to enhance your mood.

It would be beneficial to take nutritional supplements in a timely manner and to pay attention to emotional health. In cold weather, body temperature is likely to drop, and a lack of exercise will make you feel tired more easily. Therefore, in winter, it might be helpful to eat more warm and nourishing things, and to supplement your diet with foods rich in vitamins, in order to strengthen your resistance to the cold and maintain a good mental state.

It is possible that a lack of exercise and social interaction in a closed space may result in feelings of loneliness and depression. It may therefore be helpful to maintain good interactions and communicate with family members or friends who care about you in a timely manner when you have needs such as wanting to talk, as this may enhance your sense of inner strength and belonging.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you can persevere.

Hello.

Host:

After carefully reading the post, it is clear that the poster is struggling with their own tendency to become depressed and despondent in winter. They have also actively expressed their distress on the platform and sought help, which will undoubtedly help them to better understand and recognize themselves.

Next, I will share my observations and thoughts in the post, which will help the poster gain a more diverse perspective on themselves.

1. Tell me how you interpret winter.

You mentioned in your post that it has been dark early lately and foggy, which makes you feel depressed. I go to work and live my life day after day, but I feel like I can't muster the energy. It is easy to fall into self-doubt and confusion.

After reading this information, I am going to explore your thoughts with you. First of all, I want to know how you interpret winter. What does winter mean to you?

Similarly, tell me what it means to you that it gets dark early and it is foggy. Exploring these questions will help you understand your inner self and see why you are like this.

You also go to work and live your life every day as usual in other seasons.

Tell me, has anything happened recently that has made you feel this way? These questions will help us understand what is related to our self-doubt and confusion.

2. Review your own growth experience.

The host mentioned that he feels self-doubt and confusion during the winter. This leads us to a clear psychological conclusion: our current emotional feelings may not be caused by the present, but rather by emotions that we have suppressed in the subconscious.

This may be an association or a guess, but it's worth exploring. The host should look back at their own growth experience to see if they had a similar experience in winter that made them feel the same way.

3. What is your view of self-doubt?

Together, we will explore what self-doubt is. I will share my views.

Self-doubt is a distrust of one's own self by one's other self, a skeptical attitude towards one's own sense of self-worth; it is an attack on one's own self. One's self here is the ideal self, and the other self is the real self.

Self-doubt is also a dissatisfaction with the real self in the ideal self, which is often related to our sense of self-worth. After discussing this, I'd like to hear your thoughts, host.

There is undoubtedly a relationship between our self-doubt and our sense of self-worth. This is something you can and should ask yourself. If the answer is yes, then you need to ask yourself why you have a low sense of self-worth.

This is something we can and should think about.

In this Q&A, my answers may all be explorations without methods. My methods may not be suitable for you because we have different life experiences. To find a method that suits you, you must explore yourself from your perspective and understand why you are the way you are.

I am confident that these will be of great help and inspiration to you, the host.

Insightful sharing is a habit! I'm talking to myself.

The winter makes people more prone to depression and sadness.

I'm annoyed at winter.

Spring brings new life, summer brings passion, and autumn brings harvest. But what about winter? We tend to overlook it, focusing only on the falling leaves and cold wind.

Think about it. In our daily lives, when we focus on one thing, we neglect many other things that are also worthy of our attention.

Let me give you a simple example. It's a white wall with a few small black spots drawn on it by a child. The more you stare at the spots, the more upset you feel. You think the child has ruined the wall. But if you take your eyes off the spots and step back a few paces, you'll see that they're not noticeable on such a large wall. They don't cause any substantial damage or affect the wall's overall appearance.

But why do these little black spots occupy such a large place in your heart? Why do they make you so upset?

The reason is simple: you have magnified these small black spots to an infinite degree, and that has become your focus.

We are in the era of the pandemic. These past few years have undoubtedly given people a sense of anxiety, particularly this year.

In this atmosphere of hopelessness, it's suffocating. Work is still going on as usual, but people's state and environment are constantly surprising us and leaving us speechless. It's difficult to feel passionate about life and work under such constant caution.

It's normal to feel self-doubt and confusion about life.

We are in the same environment, we are all ordinary people. If you have this state of mind, I have this state of mind too. Some people bravely express themselves in the face of these things, just like the original poster, while others choose to silently bury it in their hearts.

Talking about it is the best way to deal with this problem. Here are a few tips on how to do that, which I hope will be of some help.

Read! It's always a good way to purify the mind. Find a quiet spot and choose a book. I can say with confidence that there is nothing better for the mind than reading in this atmosphere.

Listen to music and immerse yourself in an environment that allows for endless imagination. There's no better way to reminisce about the past than listening to a piece of music or an old song.

Cultivate your own interests. Know what you are interested in. Interests are the best teachers. They can make a person forget everything and concentrate on them.

You will reap rewards and grow from them.

And finally,

It gets dark early and it's foggy. This is how winter is. Don't let other people's appearance affect your mood.

You are your own master, and you have the power to choose happiness.

Hello! Winter is a time when everything slows down, and people's moods can change. With the pandemic still around, it's easy to feel lost and confused. How should we face it?

The best way to solve confusion is to do what you can. For example, get up a minute earlier, take one more step, and read one more page.

Secondly, you can face seasonal changes and the impact of the post-pandemic period like this:

1. When facing the epidemic, we often think we are weak for feeling fear, tension, and anxiety. We try to suppress these emotions, which is not good for our health. We must learn to accept these feelings.

When you feel these emotions, talk to others about them. See if they feel the same. This can help you feel better. The company can talk in small groups, management groups at all levels, and groups of internal stores.

2. Being home alone can make us feel isolated and helpless. We can use this time to talk to friends, encourage each other, share feelings, and support each other.

Avoid unprotected face-to-face meetings. If you must meet in person, wear a mask, don't shake hands, and keep a safe distance. Use phone, internet, and text messages to communicate instead.

3. Look at life positively, take positive action, and avoid negative behaviors. Study, work, and relax appropriately.

4. Use positive actions to calm down. Avoid negative habits like denial, avoidance, over-reliance on others, blaming and complaining, or emotional diversion. Pay attention to your diet, sleep, and don't use tobacco or alcohol to relieve tension.

Don't lose your temper, hurt others, or hurt or kill yourself.

5. If you need help, ask your boss, a supervisor, or a therapist. If you feel too scared, nervous, or anxious to cope, get help from a therapist or counselor at a mental health clinic.

Learn to recognize your emotions. Don't try to hide them. Understand your negative emotions. It has nothing to do with whether you are mentally strong or weak.

Reward yourself for every improvement, however small. Make the most of tangible progress. Don't be afraid of confusion. Take action!

Best wishes!

Good day, the inquirer.

From your description, it is evident that the imminent arrival of winter has precipitated a profound sense of despondency and melancholy. The underlying cause remains obscure, yet the emotional turbulence you describe is understandable.

Indeed, the winter season can also elicit such sentiments. Potential explanations for this phenomenon include the following:

[1] The lengthening of the days in winter gives the impression that the night is also lengthening.

Psychological problems influenced by such environmental factors are also common. For example, individuals may experience feelings of obligation to go to work before dawn, a lack of restorative sleep, or the psychological sensation that it is time to work during the day. These experiences can contribute to feelings of depression and imbalance. I frequently encounter these sentiments as well.

[2] The winter season is characterized by low temperatures, reduced sunlight, and increased production of the hormone melatonin.

The environment exerts a profound influence on mood, rendering the winter months a period during which feelings of despondency, melancholy, depression, and anxiety are particularly prevalent. Furthermore, the paucity of winter sunlight can precipitate an increase in melatonin secretion by the body. This elevation in melatonin levels can engender a sense of depression, a diminution in interest, and a reluctance to engage in work. This phenomenon is attributable to the fact that sunlight exerts a significant impact on mood.

[3] Additionally, the winter season may symbolize a recollection of past experiences or emotions.

In this case, we may consider the following poem: since ancient times, autumn has been sad and lonely. This prompts the question of why the poet thought autumn was sad and lonely. It is possible that autumn had a certain significance or meaning for him.

The occurrence of breakups during the fall season may contribute to feelings of sadness and distress when individuals encounter the autumnal equinox. To gain a deeper understanding of the emotional associations with winter, it is essential to consider the experiences and events that shape one's perception of this season.

Ultimately, it is essential to understand the underlying causes of depressive and melancholic states that manifest during the winter months. If these feelings have a significant impact on one's long-term well-being, it is crucial to seek the guidance of a qualified professional, such as a counselor or physician, to identify the root causes. It is vital to prioritize self-care, ensuring adequate sleep, nourishment, and emotional regulation, in order to facilitate a gradual improvement in one's mental health.

The preceding represents my personal viewpoint, and it is my hope that it will prove beneficial.

Good morning, I hope this message finds you well. I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything I can do to help. Have a great day!

I can see that you're a little confused, but I can also see that you have a good ability to perceive things and that you're looking for solutions in a positive way. That's great!

The winter months can often bring with them a sense of gloom and a lack of sunlight. However, when the sun does make an appearance, it can bring a wonderful warmth and happiness to our days.

If it isn't too much trouble, could I ask you to consider whether this discomfort is something you experience every winter, only this year, or only on certain days this year?

It is not uncommon for our emotions to arise without any obvious cause. However, there are often clues that can help us understand why they occur.

It might be helpful to remember that emotions can be very thin. Apart from objective factors such as external stimuli, the surrounding environment, temperature, length of the day, weather conditions, etc., our emotions are also influenced by our state of mind, individual differences in response, attention to external stimuli, sensitivity of the nervous system, self-control, etc.

If I may kindly inquire further, what might have transpired to evoke this sense of unease? And could you please elaborate on the catalyst that prompted your awareness of it?

If I may enquire further, when have you not felt this way this winter?

I see you describe feeling unmotivated as a result of your daily routine. When did this start for you? What happened at that time?

It's important to remember that feeling uncertain and confused is a normal part of life. However, it's helpful to try to understand the reasons and needs behind our emotions.

If a miracle were to happen and your life were to change, what do you think the state of mind would be like that makes you feel like a miracle has happened? Would you be any different from now on?

Who might notice a difference in you first?

I'm not aware of the specifics of your situation, but I hope that the advice I'm going to give you will be helpful in some way.

Perhaps it would be helpful to consider adjusting your mindset.

Life is like a mirror: if we smile at it, it will smile back at us; if we cry, it will cry with us. The quality of life is determined by our attitude towards life. It would be beneficial to maintain an optimistic attitude, turn sadness into peace, and make life happy. It might be helpful to look at life with a calm mind.

As Carnegie wisely observed, our attitude plays a significant role in shaping our destiny. By embracing a positive outlook, we can work towards self-fulfillment through a process of continuous improvement. It is our hope that we can maintain a relatively stable emotional state, which we believe can be achieved through a combination of personal willpower and self-control.

Secondly, it would be beneficial to learn to let go and seize the moment.

It is worth noting that our confusion and panic may sometimes stem from our desire to solve all our problems in advance. While it is certainly possible to live a better and more comfortable life in the future, it is also important to recognise that many things cannot be accomplished in advance. Over-worrying about the future can sometimes lead to feelings of disappointment.

Everyone experiences happy and troubled times. It's not realistic to expect to be happy all the time, or to avoid trouble entirely. Instead, it's important to live in the present, be true to yourself, and make the most of each day. This way, we can avoid any regrets down the line.

It is often said that stress provides motivation, but in fact there is not much pressure in life. Perhaps we have overanticipated the troubles of tomorrow. If the universe is under pressure, it may also have some negative impact, affecting our emotions and our lives. So perhaps it is best not to worry, but rather to let go, do the things you need to do now, take things one step at a time, and make life a little simpler. This may help you feel that life will be meaningful and better.

It would be beneficial to learn to use positive mental suggestions.

With a positive attitude towards life and a vibrant heart, we find ourselves facing two opposing forces in life: positivity and negativity. Negative emotions can trouble our emotions and make us even more confused. It is thought that positive mental suggestions can work wonders and build strong willpower.

There is a famous quote from Harvard University that offers a helpful perspective: "You can't change the environment, but you can change yourself; you can't change the facts, but you can change your attitude..."

Affirmations can be a helpful tool for self-affirmation. Words like "I can do it" and "I will definitely get through this difficult time" can inspire and empower us.

If I might suggest, it would be beneficial to accept imperfection.

Everyone is a unity of contradictions. It may be helpful to acknowledge and accept imperfection. The world is full of regrets. Just as there are sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowy days in winter, these types cannot occur at the same time. Each type has its own beauty and imperfections, but it is this imperfection that makes life wonderful and gives us different feelings. There is nothing absolutely good or bad; we may benefit from facing up to imperfection in order to be wise.

Finally, you might consider listening to music, exercising more, talking to a counselor, keeping a diary, going out for a walk, or simply becoming more aware of and changing yourself. You may also find it helpful to read more books about mental health and to take psychology courses.