Welcome!
Hello! I’m so glad you are here. Winter Hope is a seasonal newsletter to help get us through the cold, dark season. It’s written by me, Brianne Alcala, a writer/editer in the Hudson Valley. I don’t love winter, but I’ve learned to get along with it and even savor parts of it.
Why join this newsletter?
About 14% of people in America experience Winter Blues, feeling lower energy, sadness, and decline in motivation in this season, according to scientific experts. Another 6% experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of major depression and can benefit from healthcare professional intervention and treatment.
What is hopeful is that what many experts recommend for people with Winter Blues, or if you just get in a low-energy funk in the winter, are items that we can all do.
Things like getting outside, adding more light to your day, eating healthy foods, moving a lot, connecting with people.
The only problem is — it can be harder to get the motivation to do these things in the winter! This newsletter is designed to help nudge us in those helpful directions.
What this newsletter is not
This newsletter does not contain medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional if you have questions and always consider the particular needs of your own body. If you are in emotional distress or a suicide crisis, call or text 988, a free, confidential, 24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotline in the U.S. In other countries, to find a hotline, visit find a helpline. You are not alone. You are needed. Help is available.
When does Winter Hope come out?
Winter Hope will come out at least once a week December through April. During May through November the newsletter will be in hibernation mode, with only a monthly update.
How do I get the newsletter?
Once you subscribe, you’ll receive a welcome email, and then each new issue will appear in your inbox every week. If you don’t see the welcome email, look at your spam or junk folder, or the “promotional” tab in Gmail. Move it over to your regular inbox so you don’t miss it in the future.
Can I suggest a topic?
I would love that! Please email any winter questions to brianne@odysseyofthebody.com.
I hope you enjoy the newsletter. Here’s to a better winter!
Brianne
