It’s that time of the year again, when the days are short, dark and cold and we find ourselves daydreaming of sunshine. When winter arrives, we often feel the dread as the things we once loved are no longer available to us. We long for warmer days filled with outdoor fun and adventure and spending time with family and friends. For many of us, this is a way of life and the brisk winter air may prevent us from doing the things we once enjoyed. Winter blues may kick in when we can’t find joy in the things around us. But, do we have to spend this winter feeling blue or can we view the brisk air from a different perspective?
There are four seasons for a reason, each one with its own beauty and purpose. Winter is a time to hibernate, a time to let go and take rest. As we look around in nature, we will see this to be true. Why should the winter season be any different for us? If we view winter from this perspective, how different may we feel?
Instead of viewing winter as a season standing in between you and enjoyment, view winter as an opportunity for you to transform along with the season by slowing down, connecting with yourself and the those around you.
Below are suggestions that may help you beat the winter blues by nurturing your mind, your body and your environment.
Nurture Your Mind:
- Start a Morning Routine. Our mornings can set the tone for the rest of our day. Start your day off on a positive note by making time for yourself. Get up 15 minutes earlier and add some self-care to your routine. Notice the positive effects it has on your mental health.
- Learn a New Hobby. There are many options available online from learning how to knit and crochet to learning how to cook or speak a new language.
- Journal. Tune in inwards and write about the experience. Pay attention to your thoughts and the way that you speak to yourself. Write down your dreams, goals and aspirations. Take this time to get to know yourself.
- Read. Snuggle up with a cozy blanket and a hot cup of tea and read the books and magazines that you didn’t have time for when it was warm outside.
- Be Mindful. Mindfulness has many benefits to our mental health including reducing anxiety, stress, emotional reactivity and more. You can practice mindfulness by checking in with yourself throughout the day and noticing how you feel. Take deep breaths to calm your body and mind.
- Create a Vacation. Plan a real or make believe vacation. Print out pictures and make a vision board of all your favorite spots. Keep it somewhere where you can see it to remind yourself of warmer days ahead!
- Take Supplements. Studies have shown that many of us living in the Mitten (MI) are deficient in vitamin D during the winter months due to lack of sunshine and time spent outdoors. Both vitamin D and fish oil may support in regulating our mood. Contact your health care provider for more information.
Nurture Your Body:
- Take Hot Baths. Add essential oils, Epsom salt or bubble bath, light a candle, turn on your favorite tunes and feel the warmth.
- Get Cozy. Put on your coziest clothes, wrap yourself up in your favorite soft blanket and don’t forget the fuzzy socks!
- Drink Tea. Warm teas, coffees, and hot chocolates are a quick and easy way to keep you nice and toasty. Try different flavors!
- Eat Warm Food. Take this opportunity to nourish your body with warm and nourishing soups and dinners. Try new recipes and find your favorites!
- Move Your Body. Create a home gym or try an online class. There are many options available online from virtual yoga to 30 day exercise programs. Moving your body will keep you warm, while improving your mental and physical health.
- Outdoor Fun. Bundle up and try an outdoor winter activity. A few options are hiking, skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, and snow shoes. Studies show that getting outdoors in the winter is important in getting our intake of vitamin D and serotonin, a feel-good chemical.
Nurture Your Environment:
- Cook Warm Meals. Take this time to cook or bake new comforting foods. Set the table, use the fine china and enjoy a meal with your loved ones.
- Light a Fire. If you have a fireplace, light it and cozy up near it! If you don’t, no worries! There are many virtual fireplaces available online or on your TV’s streaming device. Snuggle up in front of the fireplace, TV or iPhone and enjoy a warm evening at home!
- Add Ambiance. Dim the lights, light some candles, turn up Alexa to your favorite music and enjoy the space around you.
- Connect with Family. Get to know your family members by setting time aside to reconnect. Build a puzzle, play a game, watch a movie, or try an outdoor winter activity together! Whatever it is, do it together! If your loved ones are out of reach, schedule regular Zoom or Skype calls to check in!
- Clean Up. Since you are at home anyway, might as well spruce the place up to your liking. De-clutter, organize, clean or re-decorate. Take this time to make your house feel like your home.
- Try Light Therapy. We take in less natural light in the winter thus causing a drop in serotonin. Using light therapy may be effective in treating your winter blues. Studies show that sun lamps positively impact body’s regulation of melatonin and serotonin (mood regulators) and support us with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The winter blues, also known as Season Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression associated with seasonal change. If you’re noticing that your winter blues are controlling all aspects of your life, please reach out to me, your doctor or your local mental health care professional for support. You can reach me at: www.wholeisticyou.com or by email at hello@wholeisticyou.com for more information.