For many people, winter is the perfect situation for developing anxiety and depression. The sun is not out as much. Isolation is more common. The coronavirus is still taking lives. This, coupled with addiction recovery, may make it hard for you to avoid relapse. Our mental health treatment center at Crestview Recovery in Portland can help you every step of the way during the winter or any season.
Why Does Your Mental Health During the Winter Suffer So Much?
Let’s say you’ve gotten through the holidays sober. You’re feeling good about it. Now that winter is in place, and you’re starting to struggle. You are not seeing your friends like you used to. The sun is not out as much, which directly impacts your mood and hormone levels. You may even find yourself even more isolated because of the threats from the flu and COVID-19. All of this often gets compounded during this time of the year, making it hard for you to thrive. You may even be at risk for relapse.
How to Overcome These Struggles
When it comes to mental health during the winter, it is critical for you to be vigilant to work hard to maintain your spirits and your mental health. There are a few things you can do to achieve this. Suggestions include:
Stay In Contact with Friends Loved Ones
One of the most important things you can do is find a way to connect with people. Maybe you cannot see them in person, but you can use video conferencing. You can call friends and family to have a chat. Chances are good that they are feeling the same way you are. If possible, get out of your comfort zone and find some new friends to talk to or spend some time with on a daily or weekly basis.
Incorporate More Stress-Relief
There are many ways stress can build up during this time of the year. That can negatively contribute to your mood and mental health during the winter as well. Consider a few tips from a mental health treatment center to help you to do this.
- Go for a walk – even on a cold day, nature can help.
- Spend time with art or music. It’s a type of therapy you can appreciate anywhere.
- Learn something new.
- Find a local rec center to go for a swim. Get in a workout.
- Spend some time outdoors in the sun each day.
- Talk to your doctor about taking supplements to increase Vitamin C and D intake.
The key here is to have some fun, too. That may mean watching a few fun movies or just having a long conversation about memories with good friends. This is the ideal way to overcome that mental slump.
Realize When You Need More Help
Mental health during the winter months is hard to manage for those who have an underlying mental health condition. Yet, millions of people do not put enough time into this process. It can cause problems for you for months to come.
If you are in recovery, you don’t want to wait too long to reach out for help. You also do not want to wait if you are experiencing extreme symptoms. Instead, reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help you with programs such as:
- Individual counseling sessions
- Group therapy sessions
- Family counseling support
- Mental health disorders
- Relapse prevention services
How Can a Drug Rehab Help with Seasonal Depression?
For individuals seeking addiction rehabilitation in Portland, residential treatment is an excellent option, especially given the current public health crisis. You can take advantage of in-person therapy while you live in one of our sober living homes. While we do not offer inpatient addiction treatment, we do offer sober living and outpatient treatment programs, including:
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient
- Sober living
At Crestview Recovery, our team of experienced therapists can help you learn strategies for managing seasonal depression along with any other mental health issues you may be experiencing, including addiction, through our dual diagnosis treatment program. Our comprehensive rehabilitation and therapy platform can give you a new perspective on your mental health while giving you the tools you need to achieve lasting recovery. If trying to beat your addiction without assistance is proving to be a waste of time, we invite you to our drug rehabilitation center for treatment.
Take the Time to Make a Decision Today – Call Crestview Recovery
When it comes to mental health during the winter, a lot of people struggle. That doesn’t make it easier for you to manage what’s happening to you. If you are thinking about drug or alcohol use, it’s essential to reach out to our team at Crestview Recovery. Don’t go down the path that puts you at risk for relapse. Instead, call our team at 866.262.0531 for immediate help.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
