If you’re suffering from a bout of the winter blues, then you’ll be more than ready to embrace springtime just around the corner. However, because the winter drains your energy and can make you feel like you’re in a slump, you might be struggling to find the motivation to make the changes needed to embrace the new season. So, let’s take a look at some tricks and tips to break out of the winter blues.
Maximise natural light
Those feelings of being down in the dumps often come from lack of natural sunlight. While it might be cold outside, take the time to spend a little bit of time outside each day to expose yourself to natural light. If that’s difficult due to weather or other commitments, consider getting a light therapy box to simulate natural sunlight. It’s amazing what a few minutes of Vitamin D can do to your overall mood!
Where possible, try and position pieces of furniture that you use regularly near windows so that if you are stuck inside, you can still take advantage of natural sunlight. Make sure you open curtains and blinds during the day too, not just for the sunlight, but to keep your body in a natural rhythm.
Stick to a schedule
Speaking of natural rhythms, it’s important to stick to a schedule. Because it gets dark so much earlier in the winter, it’s easy to forget what time it is. Create a sleep schedule for yourself and aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. It might take a little while to realign this, but once you do you’ll notice you feel much more refreshed and have a more positive outlook.
The same goes for the activities you do throughout the day. Sticking to a routine gives you a sense of normalcy, which is incredibly important if you have a low mood.
Stay active
It’s easy to indulge in the winter season, especially because of the festivities surrounding it. However, not being active can negatively affect your mood and your overall health. If you can’t make it outside, try yoga, pilates, or even some YouTube workouts to help boost your mood and keep you healthy.
If you can get outside, consider going for a brisk walk or a bike ride. This will help get your blood flowing and the extra sunlight will be beneficial too.
Eat nutritious foods
Winter is a time when germs seem to make their way around easily, so it’s important to eat nutritious foods to help fight any germs you may pick up. Eat a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Try and avoid junk food where possible – as tasty as it may be, it’s not providing you with any nutritional value.
You should also try to eat oily fish, including salmon, mackerel, and sardines to boost your Vitamin D levels. If you don’t or can’t eat fish, consider taking a Vitamin D supplement to keep those levels topped up.
Plan your spring wardrobe
Springtime brings with it warmer weather, sunnier days and overall a more positive look on life. So, why not use this time to plan some of your springtime outfits? You can choose anything from Floral Mini Dresses to a cute pair of jeans and a blouse. Doing this will not only prepare you for the spring, but give you something to look forward to, which will boost your overall mood.
Don’t forget about accessories, either! What handbag could go with that mini-dress? Is there a hairpiece you want to try out? Getting all of this prepared will also contribute to that sense of normalcy mentioned earlier.
Take on a new hobby
Distracting yourself from what’s making you feel this way is a great way of lifting yourself out of that slump you’re in, and a hobby is a great way of doing this. Sign yourself up for some painting classes, or try out those recipes you’ve got saved on your phone. Not only can doing this be therapeutic, but it can also give you a sense of achievement.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a hobby either as there are plenty of free or cheap hobbies you could consider to help lift you out of this mindset.
Don’t isolate yourself
When the weather is colder, it’s understandable that you want to stay inside and keep warm. However, this can mean that you’re inadvertently isolating yourself, which could be a cause of your low mood.
Plan regular meetups with your friends, whether it’s coffee at each other’s houses or heading to the park for a walk together – the social interaction will do you good. If you can’t meet physically, using video calls and chats are the next best thing and will make a difference.
You could also join a group in your area to keep your social interaction levels up. Whether it’s a book club or a fitness class is completely up to you. Forcing yourself to attend these events may also kickstart a new passion of yours with like-minded people.
Practice mindfulness
It’s easy to think negatively about yourself, especially if you’ve been cooped up over the last few months and not achieved anything. It’s important to take the time to remind yourself about what you have achieved and the skills you possess. Sure, you might not be using them right now, but they are there and you can dive into them whenever you want.
You could try meditating or deep breathing exercises while reflecting on all of the great things in your life. It might sound simple, but it’s an incredibly effective way of letting go of any negative mindsets you may have.
Set yourself realistic goals
Now that we’ve entered 2024, there’s a good chance you’ve set yourself some goals to achieve this year. If you haven’t, now is the time to do so. Set small but achievable goals for yourself, whether that’s a goal you track each day, week or month, you’ll feel so much better when you hit those milestones.
As briefly mentioned earlier, giving yourself something to look forward to is another way of lifting your mood. Look into planning a small trip away or attending a concert and you’ll find that your excitement for that event begins to overshadow how you’re feeling.
Get professional help if needed
While the wintertime is notorious for seasonal affective disorder, your low mood might be something else. If you’re practicing healthy habits daily and don’t notice a difference in the way you’re feeling, it’s important to get professional help. Your Doctor might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment, or they might even recommend a low dose of medication that will help you view each day in a better light.
Embrace the winter!
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about the season you’re currently in. Aside from jetting off somewhere warmer, the only thing you can do for the time being is embrace the winter! Find things you enjoy about the winter, whether it’s enjoying a hot chocolate after a warm bath or a sweater you love wearing.
Take the time to create little traditions for yourself so that when next winter rolls around, you can avoid feeling this way. Things like cooking Grandma’s chicken soup with your children, or even treating yourself to a new winter haircut can help avoid those low moods.
Change your environment
Perhaps one of the reasons you’re feeling the way you do is because you haven’t adapted your home for the winter. Make your home feel cozy with soft blankets, warm lighting, and a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a good book. If you adapt your environment with the season, you might find that you enjoy it a little bit more.
A great way of doing this during the winter is by bringing some greenery inside. Indoor plants can boost your mood, improve air quality, and also add a pop of color to each room. Finding ways of improving your environment will help with your mood.
Volunteer
Sometimes, all that’s needed when it comes to breaking out of the winter blues is to remind yourself of how lucky you are. Take some time to think about this. Do you have a roof over your head? Can you afford to eat every day? Are your bills paid? Reminding yourself of small things like this can make you realize that there are people who are much worse off.
You could then consider volunteering to help those people. These small acts of kindness can help not only just boost your mood, but also the mood of the people you’re helping.
Winter can be a challenging time, but by taking some steps to make sure you’re taking care of yourself properly, you can not only combat the winter blues but also find some enjoyment in the winter season. Remember to get professional help if you need it!
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