The Importance of Maintaining Social Connections During the Winter Months
By Melissa Moreno
As the days grow shorter and the cold starts to take hold in Nebraska, many of us find ourselves retreating indoors and slowing down. Winter can bring about much-needed opportunities for rest and relaxation after a busy year. We often find this is the perfect time to catch up on sleep and cozy up on the couch to indulge in TV shows we've been meaning to watch. While winter offers those wonderful cozy moments, it also tends to stealthily increase feelings of loneliness and disconnection for many people. This is especially true for numerous people who face many of life's challenges as it is.
Winter has a way of shrinking the world around us, making us feel more prone to keep to ourselves. First, cold weather tends to reduce opportunities for socializing and meeting others. It removes the outdoors as a third space that many people rely on to convene socially. The shorter daylight hours this time of year also affect our mood and motivation levels, making us feel less inclined to seek out social interaction. If that wasn't enough, the financial strain that often accompanies the holiday season can limit our ability to spend money on leisurely social outings and events. I've been told that we are meant to emulate the rhythm of the seasons, and while there might be some truth to that, we can slow down and still stay connected as we nurture supportive relationships in our lives.
Remaining socially connected is a vital part of caring for our mental well-being during the cold winter months. While we may not always feel like reaching out to others to engage socially in the winter, it's important to remember that we are wired for connection. Decades of research show that having strong social connections serves as a protective factor against stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. People thrive in supportive environments. Finding ways to connect socially this winter doesn't have to mean spending an extravagant amount of money, and it doesn't necessarily entail organizing something as socially demanding as throwing a party where you invite everyone you know. Staying socially connected can be scheduling recurring phone calls with a friend, inviting a loved one over for coffee, or simply enjoying someone's company while reading a book together. It can look like volunteering for a project you are passionate about, joining your neighborhood association to bring about positive change in your community, or attending free events and museums, such as the Sheldon Art Museum in Lincoln and the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, which offers free admission.
While winter invites us to slow down and reflect on the year that has passed and the one ahead, it's important to remember that there doesn't need to be a perfect reason to connect with one another; it just may need to be a more intentional act.
