How to Manage Anxiety and Depression During the Chicago Winter: Untraditional Ways to Cope

When the harsh Chicago winter rolls in, with its bone-chilling temperatures, long nights, and relentless gray skies, it can feel like your mental health takes a serious hit. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), anxiety, and depression often flare up during the winter months, leaving many people feeling isolated and overwhelmed. While traditional coping methods—like exercise, therapy, and light therapy—can help, sometimes it takes a more unconventional approach to break free from the winter blues. If you're looking for something a bit different to manage your mental health this winter, here are some unique and creative strategies to consider.

1. Embrace the Art of "Hygge" – Danish Winter Wellness

The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga") is all about creating a cozy, comforting environment that promotes well-being. While it’s often associated with winter, you don’t need to be Danish to practice it. It’s about slowing down, savoring the simple things, and finding contentment in the present moment.

In Chicago, where winter can feel isolating, hygge is a wonderful antidote. Set the mood with soft lighting—think candles, twinkle lights, or a warm fire. Wrap up in your favorite blanket, sip on a hot beverage, and settle into a peaceful, calm atmosphere. Take pleasure in small rituals: read a book, bake cookies, or make a cup of tea as a form of self-care. The idea is to create a space where you feel safe, warm, and at peace, no matter how cold it gets outside.

2. Winter Solstice Rituals: Celebrate the Return of the Light

The Winter Solstice—typically around December 21st—is the shortest day of the year but also marks the turning point when the days start to get longer. Instead of simply bracing yourself for the cold and dark, why not turn the solstice into a ritual of renewal?

Gather friends, light candles, and reflect on the past year. This can be a powerful moment for releasing what no longer serves you—whether it’s bad habits, old grudges, or limiting beliefs—and setting intentions for the brighter days ahead. Symbolically welcoming back the light can help shift your mindset from the gloom of winter to the promise of spring, offering a sense of hope and purpose.

3. Try Ecotherapy: Nature, Even in Winter

While it may seem counterintuitive to engage with nature during the bitter Chicago winter, ecotherapy—which involves connecting with the natural world to improve mental health—can be surprisingly effective. Chicago offers many winter-friendly nature spaces that are still worth exploring, even when temperatures dip.

Bundle up and take a walk through Lincoln Park, Grant Park, or Humboldt Park. Yes, it’s cold, but the winter landscape has its own kind of beauty. The bare trees, frozen ponds, and quiet, snowy paths can provide a sense of tranquility. There’s something deeply grounding about walking in nature, and in winter, it’s an opportunity to practice mindfulness—focusing on your breath, the sound of crunching snow beneath your boots, or the stillness around you. Even a short walk can refresh your mind and reduce feelings of anxiety.

4. Practice Laughter Yoga: Laugh Your Way Through Winter

Winter is often associated with a sense of heaviness and gloom, but laughter yoga offers a playful and uplifting approach to combatting depression and anxiety. This unique practice combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing techniques to promote relaxation, release endorphins, and boost mood.

In Chicago, look for local laughter yoga classes, or simply start by yourself at home. Laughing (even if it's forced at first) triggers the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, making it a natural remedy for stress. If you’re not sure where to start, check out online videos or apps that guide you through laughter exercises. Whether you’re belly laughing in your living room or with a group, it’s hard to deny the lightness that comes with letting go of tension through laughter.

5. Art Therapy: Use Creativity to Express What Words Can’t

Sometimes, when anxiety and depression take hold, it’s difficult to put your feelings into words. Art therapy offers an alternative outlet for expression, one that doesn’t require any previous artistic experience. The act of creating—whether through drawing, painting, collage-making, or even sculpting—can help process emotions and offer clarity during tough times.

You don’t need to produce a masterpiece; it’s about the process, not the product. Set aside time each week to explore your creativity. If you're new to art, start with simple projects, like drawing in a journal, painting with watercolors, or creating a vision board for the year ahead. The goal is to let your subconscious guide you as you work through whatever is on your mind.

In Chicago, several art centers offer workshops specifically designed for mental well-being, like the Chicago Art Therapy Collective or Creative Arts Therapies. These spaces offer a supportive environment where you can use creativity as a tool for emotional healing.

6. Take a "Winter Adventure" Staycation

Traveling during Chicago's winter can feel daunting, but you can still experience the thrill of adventure by embracing a winter staycation. Whether it’s booking a night in a cozy Airbnb with a fireplace or spending the day at an indoor water park or spa, a change of scenery—even if it's within the city—can shake up your routine and give you a new perspective.

Try something unexpected like indoor rock climbing at the Brooklyn Boulders in Logan Square, or immerse yourself in art at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Doing something out of the ordinary can invigorate your senses and offer a mental “reset,” breaking the cycle of winter monotony.

7. Volunteer or Give Back to the Community

When you’re feeling down, one of the most powerful ways to shift your focus and gain a sense of purpose is by helping others. Volunteering for local organizations in Chicago can create a sense of connection and fulfillment, which in turn can reduce feelings of anxiety or depression.

You can donate time at shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens. Organizations like The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Ronald McDonald House, or The Chicago Cares Volunteer Program always welcome volunteers. Not only does this help others, but it also brings perspective, as contributing to a cause can shift the focus away from your own struggles and foster a sense of community.

8. Start a Gratitude Jar or Daily "Thank You" Notes

Winter’s gloom can make it easy to focus on what’s not going well in your life, but shifting your perspective towards gratitude can help counteract that. Start a gratitude jar: each day, write down something you're grateful for on a small slip of paper and place it in the jar. When you’re feeling down, read through the notes to remind yourself of the positive things in your life.

Alternatively, you can start a thank-you journal or write small notes to people in your life, expressing gratitude. The act of acknowledging what’s good—even in small moments—can shift your mood and remind you of the silver linings, no matter how dark the winter feels.

9. Unplug and Declutter: Digital Detox and Physical Space Cleanse

Winter in Chicago often means spending more time indoors, and with that comes more screen time. But too much time on your phone or computer, particularly when it’s filled with negative news or social media comparisons, can exacerbate anxiety and depression.

Commit to a digital detox for an hour a day or even a whole weekend. Instead, take time to declutter your physical space. Organizing your home or workspace can have a therapeutic effect, providing a sense of control and order in a season that often feels chaotic. Decluttering can also serve as a metaphor for clearing mental clutter, giving you a fresh start for the new year.

Conclusion: Reclaim Your Winter Mental Health

Winter in Chicago can be harsh on your mental health, but by embracing unconventional approaches like laughter yoga, ecotherapy, or the art of hygge, you can cultivate a sense of joy and resilience despite the cold and dark. This season doesn’t have to be a time of isolation or sadness—it can be an opportunity to explore new ways to take care of yourself and connect with others. By thinking outside the box and incorporating these untraditional strategies, you’ll not only survive the winter—you’ll thrive through it.