Seize the Day and Chase Winter Doldrums Away

Seize the Day! Lately that’s been my morning mental mantra. I visualize it as a chant and it’s the secret weapon I use every December to help me adjust to the onset of winter and face the end of the year.

Even though I’m lucky to live in Arizona, winter still means daylight hours seem shorter and the air feels cooler, making me spend more time indoors. Eventually I adjust, but not without a few days of wanting to just curl up under a blanket and give in to the doldrums.

Add to that it’s December and we’re closing out another year: a time of both nostalgia and reflection. Both are good things to do when thoughts are productive, but for those of us living with ALS, it’s easy to go from thinking about the past, to thinking too much about the past! Memories give way to feelings of loss, sadness sets in, and that warm blanket turns into our permanent cocoon.

How to avoid winter doldrums

I’ve found success in avoiding the winter doldrums and emotional lows by starting the day with a positive thought. Mine is: Seize the Day!

For me it represents keeping my thoughts in the present and embracing the day with an enthusiastic expectation of what’s yet to come. If you can’t imagine yourself feeling that way, I’ll bet you’ve felt it before. We all have — when we were kids waking up to the first day of summer vacation!

Those summer days were a clean slate waiting to be filled with carefree fun and new experiences. We didn’t dwell on the past or worry about the year ahead. We lived in the present moment.

That’s exactly the memory I use to make my mantra feel real.

Seize the day

If you find the winter doldrums creeping your way, give my morning chant a try. Be that kid on the first day of summer, seize the day and live the moment. The rest of the day will go a little easier and the winter might not seem quite so long.

Here are a few more tips to help you feel more positive:

• 10 quotes to help you when you’re feeling down.
• 3 things to do to boost your energy and well-being.
• Try to reset your mindset.

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Note: ALS News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ALS News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ALS.