Dreading Winter? How to Prepare Emotionally and Build Self-Trust
Sep 30, 2026 • S07 E07 • 00:13:52
Are you dreading winter?
Winter can make your world feel smaller. In this episode, psychotherapist Shelley Treacher explores how to prepare emotionally for the darker months, not by forcing yourself into a perfect routine, but by understanding your own seasonal patterns and making it easier to do what genuinely helps.
Drawing on recent research into seasonal mood changes, Shelley explains why winter affects everyone differently and how building self-trust can support your winter mental health.
You’ll learn how to:
- Make movement, daylight, rest and connection easier
- Notice when scrolling, comfort eating or seeking reassurance provides quick relief without meeting the real need
- Tell the difference between something that feels difficult and something that genuinely isn’t right for you
- Protect your independence and personal boundaries, including at Christmas
- Create a simple plan to help you trust yourself through winter
This isn’t about forcing yourself to be happy, busy or productive. It’s about listening to what you need and building a winter life that you don’t constantly want to escape from.
Complete these four sentences:
- During winter, I tend to lose…
- I feel more like myself when…
- To make that easier, I can…
- When I get off track, I can get back on track by…
What do you already know you need this winter, and what would it be like to trust yourself enough to follow through?
Shelley Treacher is a BACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist specialising in how emotions are experienced through the body.
Research mentioned
Zhang, Y. et al. (2025), Assessing seasonal and weather effects on depression and physical activity using mobile health data, npj Mental Health Research, 4, 11.
Related listening
If you’re struggling with persistent low mood rather than simply adjusting to the changing season, you may also find this episode helpful:
How Can I Stop Feeling Depressed?
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