How to Beat the Winter Blues

While December may technically be the darkest month of the season, for many it’s the months of January and February that usher in a sense of wintery doom and gloom. I’ve actually always sort of liked January, after the holidays it feels fresh and bright, the new year full of possibility and a sparkling winter sun. That second month though… February is another story. It feels somehow greyer, darker, and impossibly long for only being 28 days in length. Yes, it’s during these months that many of us begin to feel a little… down. If your moods tend to deep-dive once the cold weather hits, you’re certainly not alone.

The beginning of winter may have been just over a month ago, but it’s usually this time of year that we find ourselves slipping to the dark side. The sparkle and anticipation of the holidays is long gone, the temperature is cold and made even colder with the accompanying wind chill, and the lack of sunlight disrupts our internal clock and circadian rhythm — all of these factors can play a huge role in how we feel both mentally and physically this time of year, add a blizzard on top of all that and you’ve got a recipe for the blues. It’s usually around this time that I feel my mood start to shift — warm weather just feels so far away —  but this year I’m determined to tackle things head on and actually enjoy the winter. Read on for my tips:

Beat the Winter Blues

Take care of yourself

When we feel poorly, we tend to treat ourselves poorly. Conversely, when we treat ourselves well, we have a tendency to feel good. It’s certainly not rocket science, and it should go without saying that good health and well being are a priority in all of our lives, but sometimes that concept is much easier said than done, especially in the winter. We slip into a funk and crave chocolate. We have a bad day at work or school and skip the gym in favor of the couch and a Gilmore Girls marathon (it’s so dark and cold outside…). These are such common habits, but ones that can swiftly take a toll on our health and mental well being. The key to breaking the cycle is understanding your habits and taking action.

I know from year’s past that this time of year can be challenging for me; as soon as the temperature drops, I tend to crave comfort foods and have a talent of swiftly and efficiently talking myself out of going to the gym after work. Rather than continuing on in this vicious cycle, I decided to take control: instead of waiting until after work to work out, when I know I’m likely to talk myself out it, I use my lunch break to hit the treadmill (bonus: exercise is a mood booster!); instead of comforting a bad mood or stress with foods that would damage my health, I read or write in a journal, and try to confront what I’m feeling (and why) head on; and if I really need a treat, I turn to the sweetness of fresh fruit or dates with almond butter (delicious). Good habits and motivation are contagious, and when you’re healthy and feeling good, it’s easier to see the brighter side of winter.

Beat the Winter Blues

See the sun

When the sun is shining in the dead of winter, it’s something worth celebrating. Get outside and turn your face to the sun, allow its rays to wash over your face, its warmth to spread over you. Beyond providing some much needed heat on these cold days, the sun’s ultra violet rays create vitamin D in our bodies, which is essential for bone health and immunity (among many other benefits). Sunlight also plays a role in keeping us happy by triggering our brain to produce higher levels of mood-boosting serotonin.

For those of us in northern climates with limited exposure to the sun we should aim to get outside for at least a few minutes mid-day (though longer is better), when the sun is at its peak, for some natural light and fresh air. As a bonus, the exposure to UV light and fresh air can also aid in a better night’s sleep by keeping your circadian rhythm flowing smoothly, and a better night’s sleep means a much happier morning.

Beat the Winter Blues

Create a ritual

This year I started buying flowers for myself every Friday. They brighten up my home, remind me of spring and summer’s existence, and add color to a season that is known to be pretty, well, drab. It’s a ritual that I look forward to every week… going to the grocery store on Friday night with my husband, picking out my flowers for the week, bringing them home and arranging them in vintage apothecary bottles… and because I buy them on Friday, I get to enjoy them throughout the weekend, when I tend to be home more often. For a long time, I wrote flowers off as an extravagance that I didn’t need, but it’s incredible what a little color and foliage will do for your mood. (And I learned that flowers don’t have to be extravagant at all — one $5 bouquet of cottage roses easily creates two petite bouquets.) If you don’t like flowers, buy a plant! It will clean the air and add life to your space when everything outside is in hibernation mode.

A few of my favorite cat-friendly blooms:

  • Roses
  • Sunflowers
  • Gerber Daisies

+ Check out the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants

There’s beauty in having a ritual — whatever it may be — in having that something to look forward to and enjoy. Rituals bring joy, they bring routine in the best possible way. Buy flowers, get a fancy latte every Friday morning, take a yoga class on Saturday afternoons, do an at-home face mask every Sunday night… the point is, give yourself something small but wonderful to anticipate during these dark, cold months.

Beat the Winter Blues

Be social

I don’t know about you, but as soon as the days get shorter and the weather colder, my social calendar all but disappears. It’s so tempting to stay indoors and hibernate, but that human connection — outside of work and everyday obligations — is so incredibly vital. Think about it, how much better do you feel after spending time with friends and family? After really, truly laughing with someone?

Make plans on the weekends and try to get out a couple of times throughout the week. it doesn’t have to e anything crazy, host a game night, bundle up and go out for a First Friday art walk, check out your local concert calendar and see a show, meet a friend for coffee early before work. Too much unintentional isolation can make you feel like an island, especially if you’re feeling those winter blues, reach out and connect and know you’re not alone in the season.

If you’re really feeling the need for some solitude, grab your camera and take a walk. Find the beauty in the world around you, natural or man-made. Make a point to really look and notice the things you might pass by on a normal day. The way the winter sun casts harsh shadows, the late afternoon reflections in city windows, ice-encrusted branches hanging over a dirt road. This time of year has a stark beauty to it, we might just need to look a little longer to see it.

Beat the Winter Blues

+ What helps you stay positive and happy during these grey days? Please share your tips in the comments!

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9 years ago

Such wonderful post! Two things that help get me out of a funk are smiling and positive affirmations. Even starting off with a forced “fake smile” seems to have some sort of physical reaction, and I actually feel like smiling for real. And positive affirmations work for me as well. It can be a very simple statement as “I’m a joyful being”. Those are a few things that work for me.

The Weaver Of Words…..give me 15 words and I’ll tell you a tale
http://www.averyfairytale.wordpress.com

9 years ago

Great tips! I luckily live in a temperate climate (the midatlantic part of the US) so while it gets cold, it’s not unbearable. One of my rituals is to take my dogs running at least once a week at the local park. They enjoy it and we all get some sunshine and exercise.
Kiersten | KiwiCat

I live in California, so our winter is quite mild and we’re not “cold” by east coast standards, but I certainly fall into some of these same traps. What is it about it being dark at 6pm that cries for sweats and Netflix? I adore the idea of weekly flowers, I might have to steal that :)

xoxo
Katie

9 years ago

“See the sun”! Luckily in SoCal we get lots of that, but honestly we miss the cold too! Sometimes we just get the blues, rain or shine.

xo

Michaela

http://michaelajeanblog.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichaelaJeanArt

9 years ago

enquanto isto aqui no Brasil estamos cozinhando num calor de mais de 35º CC. com dias grandes de muita luz e este frio desse lado do mundo que vivem vocês parece romantico!

9 years ago

I agree with Katie @ Beyond the Clothing, although I am in Cali I do get sucked into the winter slump. Recently I’ve been having the winter blues and the runners blues (not being able to run) & these tips will be taken into use! I’ll be walking outside to get some sun on my pasty skin! Haha!

Zooey
9 years ago

I honestly already have been doing all of these things- and I’m liking winter so much more! and I’ve been doing this stuff because of THIS blog!! Such great ideas over all and a lot of your at-home remedies really work and make me motivated & happy

Julia
9 years ago

How do you form a routine that you can stick to but not feel confined to?

9 years ago

great advice for having a better winter

thanks

9 years ago

i loved the idea of buying flowers during the winter! i hadnt thought of that one and flowers do really help brighten up the place!

9 years ago

I appreciate your thoughts, winter neither my favorite season but hope that your tips will make this season enjoyable. Thanks for advice.

Anne-Sophie
9 years ago

I just wanted to say i completely fell in love with this blog last year, especially with these kind of posts! Keep up the great writing! xx

9 years ago

This was such a great and much needed post, I’ve been down for a little while and it’s great to know I’m not alone and these tips are surely going to make me smile.

http://www.helloimshanice.com/

Mimi
9 years ago

I love the ideas about having nice rituals, I totally want to try one/ a few! And taking the camera walk is such a good idea too, it reminds me of when I took a photography class and had weekly assignments. Whenever I would walk down to the ferry I’d take my camera and always notice stuff I’d normally just walk past!
What I do in for the “winter blues” or really anytime is to do headstands (do them up next to a bed or a wall if your not that good like me, btw). It gives your head more blood, and it makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER consistently.

9 years ago

This is exactly what I needed! Buying flowers is such a good idea !

http://oldromantics.blogspot.co.uk

9 years ago

Being social can be so hard to do in the winter when it gets cold out, but it’s so so important. Sitting in the sun, too – even if it’s through a window or on a long ride on especially cold day. Pretty photos!

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

nice post , thanks for sharing this , nice information from you :)

maria
9 years ago

Great post! For me it’s super important to keep taking care of myself and it makes a huge difference!

http://mysimpliving.tumblr.com/

9 years ago

this is so what i needed. thank you for the article!

i like to take walks to beat the blues. light and fresh air always help me to feel better.

xoxo, Biene
lettersandbeads.de

9 years ago

Loved this post! Mostly because the third photo in this post is from my hometown! <3

Veronica
9 years ago

Loved this post… I live in Brazil.. winter is coming and it will help me cause I always feel blue in this season!