Winter Wellbeing, Trauma Triggers, and Finding Yourself Again

Let’s be honest - winter isn’t the easiest season to ride out. The shorter days, the lack of sunlight, and the drop in Vitamin D can leave us feeling low before we’ve even realised what’s happening. And while cosy evenings sound great in theory, they often come with less energy, less motivation, and fewer chances to connect with people.

For many, the seasonal shift alone is enough to shake their mood. But for others, especially those who feel unsafe or unsettled at home, winter can feel like a pressure cooker. More time indoors can mean more time with difficult memories, tense relationships, or old wounds that start whispering again.

And honestly - does your smile feel harder to find in winter?

Maybe you carry childhood or adolescent harm that makes this season feel heavy or frightening. You’re not alone in that.

When Winter Sparks Old Memories

From both personal and professional experience, I know how specific this time of year can be. A certain aftershave, a song, a street corner, a place in the community… sometimes it takes almost nothing to ignite dread or fear.

Your brain and body are wired for survival, so when something feels familiar, they connect the dots in a heartbeat. Freezing, shutting down, or wanting to flee are completely normal trauma responses - not personal failings. In the therapy room, we work together to help you understand these reactions and find ways to feel steadier and safer in your own skin.

Seasonal Shifts in Mood

For anyone who notices their mood dipping in autumn and winter, it’s worth paying attention to what helps and what hinders you. I’ve done the same.

Personally, I like winter because it gives me permission to slow down. Less pressure to fill my days. More space to retreat into warmth and stillness. And because I love sunlight in spring and summer, I find myself appreciating the softer winter light even more.

But I won’t sugarcoat it - winter used to be the season of daft decisions and unhealthy behaviours too. Flashbacks, triggers, old patterns… they all had their own winter timetable. Over time, I’ve learned what steadies me and what derails me.

My Winter Toolbox

Here are the things that keep me grounded when the tricky thoughts try to elbow their way in:

• Power naps (10–20 minutes) - the sweet spot before I conk out completely

• Walks with no destination - or a brisk stomp if I’m heading somewhere

• A favourite treat - for me it’s a handmade coffee and a sweet bite

• Time with animals or safe people - the ones who regulate my nervous system simply by existing

These work for me because they matter in my world. So - what goes in your winter toolbox?

If This Winter Feels Heavy, You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone

If you’d like a safe, confidential space to steady yourself for 2026, you’re welcome to book a free 30-minute consultation. Winter can be a surprisingly powerful season for reconnecting with your authentic self, rebuilding emotional wellbeing, and understanding the patterns that keep you stuck.

I believe we all deserve kindness - especially in winter.

Good luck being with you this season.