With winter comes cold and dark weather which can lead to seasonal sadness. Learn the best ways to beat the winter blues and embrace this season!
Winter can be a wonderland of snowflakes and holiday cheer, but it can also brings a chill in the air and a touch of the winter blues.
It’s easy to feel sad and low energy when the days are shorter, the nights are longer, and the sun seems to be playing hide-and-seek. If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for ways to beat the winter blues, you’re not alone.
For some the winter blues can be easily managed with cozy indoor activities and invigorating outdoor adventures. But for others it can turn into a more severe sadness. The good news is there are a few ways to beat the winter blues, or at least bring some joy into the cold and dark season.
So, grab your favorite blanket and a hot drink, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to help you brighten up your winter days!
This Post Is All About Ways To Beat The Winter Blues
What causes the winter blues?
Seasonal depression, often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a real and challenging condition that affects people during the colder months.
During the winter the reduced exposure to natural sunlight plays a significant role in feeling the winter blues. With shorter days and less sunlight, our bodies produce less serotonin, which contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being.
Another contributing factor is the colder weather itself. The drop in temperature often discourages outdoor activities and exercise, which are natural mood boosters. The temptation to hibernate indoors can lead to social isolation and a lack of physical activity, both of which can exacerbate feelings of sadness and lethargy!
It’s essential to recognize that the causes of the winter blues can vary from person to person. The good news is that understanding these causes can be the first step in effectively managing and mitigating the effects of seasonal sadness.
So hopefully these ways to beat the winter blues give you some inspiration for how to start feeling better as the winter approaches!
Your Guide To The Easiest Ways To Beat The Winter Blues
1. Make your home extra cozy
Create a space you enjoy being in that brings joy into your life. Shop for some extra fuzzy blankets, light some candles, and try to limit overhead lighting. Or you can go the opposite route and decorate your house to feel like a tropical getaway. Either way, decor can play a huge part in the way you feel so decorate your home in a way that brings you joy!
2. Make a comfort meal
Good food is always a mood booster. Cook a nice, healthy, and hearty meal at home, or order from your favorite takeout spot. Either way enjoying a good meal might just be the mood booster you need to feel a little better this season.
3. Invite friends over for a cozy game night
Invite friends over for an at home board game night. Laughter and friendly competition can brighten any gloomy winter evening.
4. Fill your space with seasonal smells
Fill your home with comforting winter smells like cinnamon, vanilla, and peppermint for an instant mood boost. A fragrant environment can do wonders for beating the winter blues!
CHECK OUT THIS POST: 27 NON-CHEESY SELF-CARE FOR COUPLES IDEAS
5. Practice self-care
Self-care looks different for everyone! It’s a way to improve your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being! Check out these winter self-care ideas for some inspo!
6. Give back
Giving back to your community is a great way to feel a sense of fulfillment. Volunteer your time to a local charity, organize a drive, or go to your local animal shelter and take some dogs on a walk. Either way getting out of the house and helping others is a surefire mood booster.
7. Get active
With the days feeling short, cold, and dreary it’s easy to spend all of your time indoors without much movement. This can lead to feeling sad and lonely. Get outside and go on a quick walk around the block, or join a gym. Either way, moving your body is known to reduce depression.
8. Practice making warm cocktails
Invite some friends over and have a cocktail party! Experiment with making hot cocktails to warm you up this winter. Try a hot toddy, or get creative with your own recipe for mulled wine. It’s tasty and super fun!
10. Try journaling
Writing your thoughts and feelings down on paper is an incredible way to work through your emotions on your own. Journaling is known to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and is a great way to do self-therapy.
11. Take the time to organize your home
No one says you have to wait for spring to start your cleaning! Take advantage of the cold months to get ahead in going through your house and organizing your space!
12. Do a cozy fireside picnic
Picnics are not just for hot weather! Make some cute finger sandwiches, grab some wine, spread out a blanket in front of the fire, and enjoy a lovely indoor picnic. If you don’t have a fireplace lighting some candles will also work.
13. Eat healthy
The winter season has plenty of fun holidays and shorter days which makes it easy to stay at home and be sedentary. Thats why it’s important to balance that out with eating healthy foods especially those high in natural vitamin D such as salmon, plant-based milks, and dark leafy greens like kale.
14. Take an online class
Taking the time to learn a new skill can be amazing for your mental health. There are plenty of online resources for you to try such as Skillshare, Udemy, or even free Youtube videos. Being productive is one of the best ways to beat the winter blues.
15. Find ways to enjoy time outside
Even though the weather is cold and dreary finding time to go outside and get some sun can do wonders for your mental health. Take a morning walk, find a nice hike you can do over the weekend, or just spend 10 minutes sitting out and catching some sunlight. Even getting a little sun can do wonders for your mental health.
16. Book a spa day
You really can’t go wrong with treating yourself to a spa day. Splurge for a massage or facial. Or you sit and relax in a steam room. This is for sure my top pick when it comes to ways to bear the winter blues!
17. Review what you consume online
Who we follow online and the content we surround ourselves with makes a huge difference. Clean up your follow list by removing anything that doesn’t bring you joy. Also, limit how much news you watch and listen to as that can cause unnecessary stress and worry.
18. Talk to your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels
Vitamin D deficiency can be a cause for depression so talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. Vitamin D levels usually drop in the winter and can be a cause for low moods, low energy and brain fog.
19. Seek professional help
If you can’t shake your winter depression and you feel like you are out of options to try on your own never be afraid to seek professional help! There are plenty of both in-person and online resources that can help you through your symptoms and prescribe medication if needed!
[…] light therapy is worth a try if you struggle with the winter blues. It’s a simple yet effective therapy that uses different colors of light to improve mood and […]