Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season

Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”?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.Kristian shares how to:• Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments• Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate• Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals• Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds• Apply opposite action when motivation disappears• Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions• Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety• Redefine strength as presence, not endurance• Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix themDig DeeperACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)Cognitive FusionDBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)The JetsonsHow to turn crayons into candlesCrash the Gates by YellowcardFollow KristianTherapyTokWithKris on TikTokTherapyTalkWithKris on InstagramTherapyTalkWithKris on YouTubeDistinctApproachCounseling.comEmail KrisFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/