“Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.” – Paulo Coelho

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Winter, the first snowfall this year saw over eighteen inches on the ground. For many areas power was lost. For many communities they were without power for over forty-eight hours. The area I live in did not suffer power loss, which was strange because it is usually our area that suffers first. For many it means waiting it out, maybe find a friend or family that has power and able to seek refuge for the duration. I am fortunate, I have a gas stove and a gas water heater. I can use the stove to supply heat and also make coffee and cook food. The water heater ensures that I have plenty of hot water for cooking and cleaning.

Winters tend to seem long here where I live. Darkness arrives around 5 p.m. which makes for some long dark evening hours. Sunrise is usually about 7-7:30 a.m.

These type of days can bring on S.A.D.(Seasonal affective disorder). According to The Mayo Clinic there are numerous signs to SAD.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy and feeling sluggish
• Having problems with sleeping too much
• Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having thoughts of not wanting to live

All of this can add stress to our daily lives, stress which can sometimes be the needle to break the back of the camel.

Stress Relief In Winter

For me stress relief during the long winter days and months means getting a good book, hardcover preferred, boiling water and making a big cup of hot chocolate. Now, what would be better is a nice log fire in the fireplace, but for now it is just a picture in my the corner of the mind. Yes, but during holidays there is usually some cable channel that offers a virtual log fire that can take the place of a real one.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

I can spend hours with my nose buried in a good book, tried Kindle, but having real paper to turn and to hold is so much more pleasant. Topics vary, authors also vary. The perfect time for me to read is usually in the evening, television on mute, no social app opened, and maybe a cd playing softly of an artist, such as, Michael Bublé. I at times can become oblivious to the things around me. Everything seems to fade into the background.

Then there are those times while relaxing for bed I pick up my tablet and open Amazon Music. Pick out some of my favorite tunes, place the ear buds, turn out the lights and let the music take me to somewhere lofty.

The Calming of Music

Music is to me like breathing. I don’t get tired of breathing, I  don’t get tire of music! –Ray Charles

As a young child I learned to appreciate music. My grandfather opened the world of music as he played the guitar and taught myself and other family members how to sing songs. The songs of course, were Gospel, mainly country or bluegrass Gospel. Those songs were the ones that were sung when asked by the Pastor of our home church.

After his passing my love of music led me to other forms of music, different styles of Gospel Music. For the upbeat in me, it usually meant listening to African Americans and their own Gospel Style. I fell in love with the organ sounds in their music. Then there are times I like to listen to music that takes me back in time, that brings back memories of spending days at my grandparents home. Turn up the music!

So dear reader, these are a few things I do to bring about relief from the daily stress! How about you, are there things you do that help bring relief from stress! I would love to hear them!