Struggling with the winter blues? 5 pieces of advice to cope from a local expert unDraw This article appears in the January issue of 400 Life Magazine When the pandemic first started to take hold in the country in March, many leaned on nature for help through an unpredictable situation. Families had socially-distanced visits with each other in their front yards, couples started to have small, backyard weddings, residents walked around their neighborhoods and local restaurants offered outdoor seating. Spending more time outside with loved ones quickly became part of the new normal. As it has started to get colder, however, nature has fallen into its usual gloomy season. Winter can be a challenging time for many, with or without a pandemic, whether it is because of something more serious such as seasonal affective disorder or simply from a feeling of being cooped up indoors.