Moving Beyond the Holidays: Finding Steadiness in the Quiet Winter Months
- Kevin Link
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 2
The holidays can be meaningful, but they can also be emotionally and physically draining. When January and February arrive, many people notice a shift: the decorations are gone, routines feel quieter, days are shorter, and the weather keeps us indoors.
If you’ve felt more tired, unmotivated, or emotionally heavy after the holidays, you’re not alone. For many children, teens, and adults, the quiet winter months can bring a mix of reflection, stress, and low mood—especially for those already carrying trauma, anxiety, or depression.
The good news is that this season can also be a time for gentle reset, healing, and growth.
Why Winter Can Feel Emotionally Hard
Several factors come together in the post-holiday winter months:
Less daylight Shorter days can affect energy, sleep, and mood. Our bodies and brains respond strongly to light.
Emotional letdown after the holidays Even positive events take energy. After the build-up of the holidays, a “crash” can happen.
More time with our thoughts Winter often slows life down. While this can be peaceful, it can also allow worries or past experiences to surface.
Anniversaries and memories For some, this season connects to grief, trauma, or difficult memories.
None of this means something is “wrong” with you—it means you’re human.
Gentle Ways to Support Your Mental Health in Winter
1. Keep a Simple Structure
You don’t need a packed schedule, but having a daily rhythm helps. Regular wake times, meals, and small plans can provide stability.
2. Seek Light and Movement
A short walk during daylight, sitting near a window, or light exercise can help regulate mood and stress.
3. Stay Connected
It’s easy to isolate in winter. A quick check-in call, coffee with a friend, or a shared activity can make a real difference.
4. Practice Self-Compassion
Winter is not always a high-energy season. It’s okay if your pace is slower. Healing doesn’t require rushing.
When Support Can Help During the Quiet Winter Months
If winter tends to bring increased anxiety, sadness, irritability, or shutdown, therapy can provide support and tools to navigate this season more comfortably.
Trauma-informed approaches like EMDR, CBT, and DBT can help you:
Process lingering stress or past experiences
Build emotional regulation skills
Reduce anxiety and overwhelm
Develop healthier coping patterns
For many people, this quieter time of year is actually a powerful time for therapeutic work because there is more space for reflection and growth.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t have to “push through” winter alone. Support can make the season feel steadier and more manageable.
At Whispering Hills Counseling Services, I work with children, teens, and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression. Sessions are available in-person in Hendersonville and virtually across North Carolina.
If you’re ready to take a step toward feeling more grounded this winter, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
