FOOD for THOUGHT
Life Lately
FOOD for THOUGHT
This Week on
Life Lately
Why Everything Feels Heavier in Winter
This week’s edition of Food for Thought looks at why winter pulls your energy and emotions downward — even when life on the outside hasn’t changed.
You’re doing the same things you always do — working, showing up, keeping your routine moving — yet everything feels heavier. Tasks take more effort. Your mood dips for no clear reason. Even basic things feel harder to initiate. You might blame it on being “lazy” or “unmotivated,” but winter affects the nervous system in ways most people never connect to their emotions.
Shorter days lower serotonin. Cold temperatures limit movement. Holiday pressure increases expectations. Your routines shift, daylight disappears faster, and the season quietly piles more weight on your internal world than your body can comfortably absorb.
But why does winter pull so much out of you emotionally?
Because your system isn’t built for this level of disruption. Less sunlight, disrupted sleep, emotional overstimulation, and fewer grounding activities all combine into subtle but real emotional strain. The heaviness you feel isn’t weakness — it’s your mind reacting to the environment around you.
You’re Allowed to Want More Ease Than This
Winter doesn’t have to be something you white-knuckle your way through. If you’re noticing shifts in your mood, energy, or irritability, therapy can help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and find steadier ways to cope.