Self-compassion and care tips for winter blues

Winter got you feeling down? If you’re experiencing the blues, know that it’s okay to not be okay and you’re not alone.

Dr. Bryan MacLeod, Chronic Pain Physician and Associate Professor at NOSM University runs Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) courses for medical professionals and learners. He says that not one fix will work for everyone and encourages time to reflect, document, and celebrate habits that help take care of yourself.

This is particularly important for medical students as medical culture trains people to ignore their basic needs and emotions, Dr. MacLeod explains.

Regular health practices such as exercising and getting regular sleep are useful, but Dr. MacLeod says that taking time for yourself is paramount.

“I would suggest not waiting until any particular Monday. Ask yourself what habits make you resilient, and take care of you physically, emotionally and mentally, and reclaim some,” he says.

A good place to start is with the self-compassion in daily life form used in the MSC course.

Here are more tips from NOSM University learners on taking care of yourself during the dark days of winter.

“I think it’s important to allow ourselves the space and time to feel sad, disappointed, angry, frustrated, ‘blue,’ and see how that feels for us,” says Brooklyn Ranta, a third-year NOSM University medical student and member of the MSC North research team.

 “Using soothing touch such as a self-hug and affirming dialogue. For example, ‘It is normal to feel sad, it is a hard day for me, I deserve to comfort myself and sit with myself through this.’ That can be a really validating way to process and move with, rather than move past, these emotions,” she adds.

Claire Poulin, also a third-year NOSM University medical student and member of the MSC North research team says, “I work to implement little moments of wellness throughout the day, including moments of self-compassion. We all face challenges, whether that be a difficult patient encounter, an exam grade we weren’t expecting, or even external life factors. Giving myself the permission to take a moment to sit with my emotions, rationalize them in the world around me—and know that I am not alone—has improved my confidence and overall.”

Find more resources for learners, faculty, and staff on NOSM University’s culture webpage.

Learn more about the Mindful Self Compassion North Course for students and professionals.