How Late Winter Affects My Mental Health (and What Helps)

This week I thought we would chat about how late winter affects my mental health, February isn’t festive like December. My energy dips and my thoughts feel heavier with the grey clouds, rain and snow that seem to keep the sun from appearing. But this is not a personal failing, many of us feel the same, and so by opening up about these feelings we can start to appreciate this liminal part of the year.

Slowing Down Instead of Fighting It

In the past, I have resisted this part of the year, pushing away my mind and body wanting more rest, and often flaring because of it! But pushing through instead of listening has never worked for me, and if you do it, I am sure it doesn’t work for you either.

This year, I made a shift both mentally and physically, to honouring my lower energy in late winter. This is especially important when you live with disability or fluctuating health conditions.

By recognising that late winter is still winter, and that the weather might affect us, we can reframe how we feel. Slowing down now, prevents burnout later, and rest can be seen as the cosy part of hibernation before we fully leave our burrows.

Changing the Way I Think About Rest

When I started to think about how late winter affects my mental health, I started to realise the main reason was how I saw rest. This is not a ‘me’ thing, this is a societal issue and something we are taught from a young age.

But if we look at rest differently and realise that it is merely maintenance and not something we need to earn. Rest is simply aligning with nature and what our bodies need in winter when it is cold and dark outside.

Think of it as being proactive and wise to slow down and take the day slower and more gently. Unlearning that guilt around productivity and instead realising that rest is not giving up, it is participating in seasonal living, and preparing for the summer.

Small Rituals That Help

I want to talk about practical comfort, mindfulness and sitting with late winter instead of trying to push passed it.

Mindfulness is so important to me as a witch, but also as someone with mental health issues, it has allowed me to slow down and really be present. Taking small moments of each day to pause and be here now has changed everything, especially this year.

I have started having cups of tea in our conservatory, chatting to my mom and soaking in the light. I love to watch the birds and to enjoy some time with my mom when she is being just as open and enjoying the day like I am.

Reaching for a book to read instead of scrolling on my phone, pulling an oracle card and journalling about it, going into the garden with Twig when I can and letting the cool air bring me into the moment.

Letting my mornings be slower, quieter and not giving into the guilt of productivity, is how late winter affects my mental health has changed this year. Finding small ways to alter my behaviour and thoughts has changed my sleep, and my happiness throughout the day.

Reframing Late Winter

I am not saying that sadness or flatness will never show up, light levels do affect mood, and the weather being damp and cold does affect our bodies. Everyone feels an emotional dip in this space before spring.

It is so important so have compassion for yourself, you know yourself better than anyone, and so trusting in your body and mind is so important. But resting instead of pushing will ease the guilt and pressure that we can place on ourselves.

Think of a butterfly, it is wrapped up safe inside its cocoon, changing and evolving before it is ready to fly. This time of the year is our cocoon phase; we can take this time to prepare and care for ourselves before the sunshine arrives again.

I hope that by writing about how late winter affects my mental health, I can help you to see that we can change how we see this time of year. It is all about trusting the sunshine and energy will return, and that we do not need to force ourselves to move too fast. Late winter asks less of us, and we need to learn to ask less of ourselves in return.

Thank you xx

If my words or videos have brought a little cosiness to your day, you can support me on Ko-fi with a tip or join my Patreon for just £2 a month. Your kindness helps me keep creating both here and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this, you might also like:

• Low-Energy Living: A Gentle Routine for Flare Days
• Transition Seasons & Chronic Illness: Why Spring Isn’t Always Energising
• How Late Winter Affects My Mental Health (and What Helps)
• Pacing Yourself in Late Winter When You’re Chronically Ill
• Creating Healthful Choices in 2026