Winter blues

Winter blues

Poll

How do you feel about the winter?

• I love it!

• I dislike it.

• I don't have any particular feelings about it.

Discuss the following questions.

1 How do you feel about winter? Do you enjoy it, or does it make you feel low-energy? Do you notice any changes in your mood?

2 What do you think ‘winter blues’ means?
3 Do you know anyone who feels down during winter? How do they cope?
4 What do you do to cheer yourself up on gloomy days? What are some common ways people try to stay happy and active during winter?

What comes to your mind when you hear 'winter blues'?

You are going to watch a video which describes seasonal affective disorder. What do you think that is?
Watch the clip and answer the questions.
1 What is SAD?
2 What are the common symptoms of SAD?
3 What causes SAD, according to the video?

Make up a list of words and expressions which you associate with winter. Compare your lists.

Match

Match the following words with their meanings

• unhappy, depressing

• lacking of energy or enthusiasm

• easily annoyed or angered

• hopeful and positive about the future

• intense or difficult to deal with

gloomy

lethargic

irritable

optimistic

overwhelming

• gloomy

• lethargic

• irritable

• optimistic

• overwhelming

Match

Match the following phrasal verbs with their definitions

• to feel or make someone feel happier

• to relax after being stressed

• to cause sadness or reduce energy

• to become tired or stressed from overwork

• to survive or manage a difficult time

cheer up

wind down

bring down

burn out

get through

• cheer up

• wind down

• bring down

• burn out

• get through

Match

Match the following idioms with their definitions

• in an unhappy mood

• feel sad

• the lowest possible level

• remain cheerful and optimistic

• give up or stop trying

out of sorts

have the blues

rock bottom

keep your chin up

throw in the towel

• out of sorts

• have the blues

• rock bottom

• keep your chin up

• throw in the towel

Think about things you'd recommend doing to feel more energetic or happier during the winter. Make a list of things that cheer you up and compare your list with your partner's.

Give recommendations!

Rewrite the following sentences using the modal verbs should, might, could, or ought to to make them into recommendations:

 

1. Take a short walk during your lunch break.

2. Consider buying a light therapy lamp.

3. Start a hobby like knitting or painting.

4. Make sure you get enough sleep.

5. Exercise regularly to stay active.

Discuss the following

1 Which tip from the video do you think is the most helpful? Why?

2 Have you ever experienced symptoms similar to SAD? How did you deal with them?
3 Are there any suggestions from the video that wouldn’t work for you? Why?

4 How do you think people in very sunny or very dark countries cope with this?

Discuss the questions

1 What’s your favorite winter memory? Why does it stand out?

2 What’s the most annoying thing about winter for you?
3 Do you think people are less productive in winter? Why or why not?"

4 If you could invent a gadget to help people beat the winter blues, what would it do?
5 Imagine you’re organizing a winter festival to cheer people up. What activities would you include?

6 Do you prefer cozying up at home in winter or going outside? Why?
7 Do you think winter blues are more common now than in the past? What might have changed?

Let's role-play!
Winter blues support group
One student acts as the facilitator of a support group for people struggling with winter blues, and the others are participants.

Objective: The facilitator listens to each participant’s struggles and gives advice using modal verbs (e.g., "You might want to try exercising more.").

Participants: Share their "problems" and respond to advice using phrases like, "That’s a good idea," or "I’m not sure that will work for me."

Office Winter Wellness Plan

The task of your team is to create a wellness plan for the office to help employees combat the winter blues.

Objective: Use modal verbs, phrasal verbs, and idioms to suggest activities or programs (e.g., yoga sessions, cozy breaks, group lunches).

After brainstorming, present your plan.