If the darker months tend to stir up cravings, low motivation, or the urge to numb out, this is your sign to plug into real support. For November only, you can try the Day Makers Community for two weeks for just $1. Get coaching, connection, and stability during the hardest season of the year. Join at www.nomorewasteddays.co/daymakers.
Episode Summary
Winter can be one of the most challenging seasons to stay alcohol free. Shorter days, less sunlight, gray skies, and changes in routine can mess with your mood and energy. In the Pacific Northwest, Sara calls it the Big Dark for a reason. In this episode, she breaks down why the winter blues happen, why they hit harder when you are alcohol free, and the practical strategies that help you stay grounded instead of slipping backward.
Sara shares the story of her first winter living in a camper trailer on the land while building her house. The lack of natural light, heavy rain, and isolation hit stronger than expected, and it became the first time she truly understood how intense the winter blues can feel, even deep into sobriety. She now approaches every winter with intention and has built a winter-specific sober toolkit to stay emotionally steady.
Through personal experience and research, this episode teaches you how to recognize winter blues, how to distinguish them from seasonal affective disorder, and how to protect your alcohol free identity during the months when cravings or old coping mechanisms may begin whispering again.
You will leave with five winter-proof strategies that help you stay energized, connected, and proud of your choices, even when the season feels heavy.
What You Will Learn
1. Why the Winter Blues Happen
How reduced sunlight lowers serotonin.How longer darkness disrupts circadian rhythm, leading to fatigue, fog, and increased melatonin.Why people in northern latitudes are more susceptible.How environmental factors like rain, darkness, and isolation intensify the emotional dip.2. How Winter Impacts Your Alcohol Free Journey
Lower mood plus lower energy can increase cravings and relapse risk.Lack of motivation can sabotage routines that usually protect your sobriety.Social withdrawal and loneliness can make old patterns feel nostalgic or tempting.Winter can become a unique season in your recovery, requiring specialized tools and preparation.3. How to Know Whether It Is the Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder
Winter blues tend to be mild and temporary.SAD is more persistent, more intense, and repeats each winter.Sara stresses the importance of not minimizing clinical depression and reaching out for professional support when needed.4. Five Strategies to Protect Your Sobriety This Winter
Light exposure and environment
Movement, connection, and purpose
Ask for support when things feel off
Key Takeaway
The winter blues are real, and they are rooted in biology and environment. But with preparation and intentional practice, you can navigate this season with confidence instead of slipping into old patterns. Winter can become a powerful part of your alcohol free story, a season of inner strengthening, and a time to build the resilient version of yourself who will step boldly into spring.
Resources Mentioned
The Happy Light (light therapy lamp) - Verilux HappyLight - https://a.co/d/blonUVyThe Little Book of Hygge (Day Makers November book club pick) - https://a.co/d/0w06tQxJoin the Day Makers Community
If you want support through the darker months, this is the perfect time. For November only, you can try the Day Makers for two weeks for just $1. Join the coaching calls, connect inside the community, and learn the tools that make winter feel lighter. Start your trial at nomorewasteddays.co/daymakers.
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IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
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