Cabin Fever, Mood Drops & Emotional Fog: How Winter Impacts Mental Health

Mid-January hits different.

It’s cold. It’s dark. The excitement of the holidays has worn off. And you might find yourself feeling:

• Unmotivated

• Foggy

• Restless or isolated

• More emotionally reactive

This is often what’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or winter-related depression. But even without a diagnosis, most of us experience a dip.

What Helps During Deep Winter:

1. Daily light exposure. Try to get 15+ minutes of outdoor light—even if it’s cloudy.

2. Use your body. Gentle movement, stretching, walking in place. Movement = mood support.

3. Stay connected. Send a “thinking of you” message. Book a short call. Tiny connections keep us tethered.

4. Lower the bar. Doing something small is still doing something.

You’re not lazy. You’re seasonal.

Let your expectations soften. Let winter teach you rest.