052: How Seasonal Changes Affects Executive Functioning, Mood, and Motivation: Strategies to Work with your Energy this Winter

From Stuck to Started: Executive Function & ADHD Coaching to Take Action

As the days get shorter and darker, it’s completely normal to notice changes in your energy, focus, and motivation — but most of us forget to adjust our expectations to match what’s actually going on. In this episode, I’m talking about how seasonal shifts impact your brain and your executive functioning skills, and how you can work with the season instead of pushing against it.

Whether you love or hate winter (or live somewhere warm), this episode will help you understand why things might feel harder right now — and what you can do to make things feel easier.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why your energy, motivation, and focus naturally shift during seasonal changes
• How winter affects executive functioning and what that might look like day to day
• Common areas where you may need to adjust expectations (like mornings, routines, and “productivity”)
• Simple ways to create “winter versions” of your routines and self-care habits
• How to practice self-compassion and redefine productivity during slower seasons

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• You can find the Big Blanket Co Hoodie I mentioned here. This is my FAVORITE thing to wear in the winter when I want to be cozy!
• Episode 33: How to create routines that you actually stick to: Morning routines for ADHD
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

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