<p>Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”?</p><p>Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades.</p><p>Kristian shares how to:</p><p>• Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments</p><p>• Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate</p><p>• Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals</p><p>• Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds</p><p>• Apply opposite action when motivation disappears</p><p>• Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions</p><p>• Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety</p><p>• Redefine strength as presence, not endurance</p><p>• Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix them</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy">ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-blog/cognitive-defusion-techniques-and-exercises">Cognitive Fusion</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22838-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt">DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons">The Jetsons</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.marthastewart.com/diy-emergency-candles-11809143">How to turn crayons into candles</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/_ywKerDSjLc">Crash the Gates by Yellowcard</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Kristian</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@therapytokwithkris">TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/therapytalkwithkris">TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@therapytalkwithkris">TherapyTalkWithKris on YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://DistinctApproachCounseling.com">DistinctApproachCounseling.com</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">Email Kris</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>