7 Ways to Overcome the Winter Blues!
Hello, friends!
Winter has definitely arrived here in Minnesota.
This morning we awoke to 45 miles an hour wind gusts, more snow, and temperatures down in the low 20’s!
Although I’ve lived in this area for most of my life, and LOVE the seasonal changes. I have to admit, winter is NOT one of my favorite times of the year.
And I know from experience, I’m not alone.
It’s hard enough having to deal with the sub-zero temperatures, icy roads, and mounds of snow to shovel.
But on top of all that, we are all dealing with yet another Covid variant which has some of us staying home more often again.
Many of my family and friends find themselves already feeling the effects of the winter blues, but I’m here to tell them and you, it really doesn’t have to be so bad!
Over the years I’ve found many ways to avoid succumbing to the dark depression I use to feel right around mid-January!
Today I’m going to be sharing 7 of the easiest! The best part is none of them cost an arm and leg, and most don’t even require you to leave your home. That is if you don’t want to.
#1 GO GREEN
Let’s be clear. I don’t have a green thumb. The truth is, up until a few years ago, every plant I bought died before the following winter. So I did some research and found a few plant species that even I couldn’t kill! Since then I’ve expanded to a few more, and crossing fingers so far they are all thriving.
I LOVE the lush-vibrant colors these plants offer, never mind the health benefits they provide. But I think I love the ‘tending’ to these lovelies even more so. It’s become a kind of a challenge and gives me something to look forward to all winter long.
Now, of course, I TOTALLY understand if you’re not enthusiastic about becoming a plant lady/man. It’s definitely NOT for everyone. In that case, invest in a few good-quality faux plants! There are so many to choose from, and many are VERY realistic and budget-friendly too!
#2 GET ORGANIZED
Raise your hand if you LOVE a clean and organized home at the beginning of a new year! You can’t see but I’m over here jumping up and down and shaking both hands! I won’t deny putting away all the Christmas decorations is a bit sad every year. But by the time it’s tucked away in storage, I’m ready and raring to get the house deep cleaned and organized. But getting organized doesn’t have to mean tearing your house apart and starting fresh. Here are a few simple, inexpensive things you can do that won’t take much of your time but will have a HUGE impact on your home and your well-being!
- Go through your winter clothing and throw/donate whatever no longer fits or you haven’t worn for more than a year.
- Clean out that junk drawer once and for all! It’s perfectly fine to have one, just get rid of what isn’t being used and organize the rest so you and everyone else can easily find what they are looking for.
- Check your pantry or cabinets and chuck any spices, cans, or packaged goods that have gone past their expiration dates. Make a list of each item you throw so you can restock them the next time you go to the store.
- Take stock of your linens. Have your sheets, towels, and blankets seen better days? If so, get rid of the tired, stained, and worn items. Remember, January is the best time to buy linens so now is a great time to replace what is no longer usable.
TIPS: Stained or torn towels can be recycled and used in the garage for cleaning vehicles. Worn washcloths can be used for cleaning your home.Â
#3 KEEP IT COZY
I did a post on how to make your home feel cozy a couple of years ago and it really hit home(pun intended) with a lot of folks. Although cozy means something different to everyone, we all could use more of it, especially during those rough winter months. So whether it’s adding a warm and cozy throw to your living room sofa, fluffing up a few extra pillows, or lighting a scented candle, fill your home with all things cozy and winter won’t seem so rough after all.
Other ways to add touches of cozy:
- Change out your regular sheets for flannel sheets
- Bake some cookies
- Hang a warm cozy robe by the shower
- Layer floors with rugs
- Dim the lighting
#4 BE ACTIVE
Many of us will make a resolution this time of year to start an exercise routine. Whether it’s to lose some extra pounds or just to get healthier. That’s all fine and good, but even those with the best intentions, often find themselves slowing down or quitting altogether by the end of January. So instead of making a resolution, you can’t keep, why not create a habit you can. Staying active is one of the best ways to keep depression at bay and it’s also a great way to alleviate stress and anxiety! Here are some low-impact but high motivation ways to stay active AND have fun!
- If the weather is permitting, get outside as much as possible. We all get low on Vitamin D this time of year, so being outside in the sun(whenever it’s out) is always a good thing! Take a walk up the block, shovel your sidewalk, go get the mail, or visit a neighbor!
- Do a search on Youtube and find some low-impact, 20-30 minutes cardio exercises you could do before, during, or after work. I found several for beginners or advanced here, here, and here, that I started doing last week! Best of all it doesn’t require any special equipment and no gym membership either!
- Once or twice a day take a few minutes to just stretch. Here is a great article on why this is so helpful to include in your daily routine. Along with 8 stretches that have helped me enormously!
#5 EAT WELL
I’m the last person in the world to judge someone else’s eating habits. This girl here has an out-of-this-world sweet tooth! But I’m learning that eating well means eating a wide variety of foods but in the right proportions. So yes, I can have that yummy donut with my morning coffee or an extra slice of pizza on Friday night. But I also have to balance out all those sweets and carbs with plenty of fresh veggies, fruits, and low-fat proteins. And when I do, I just FEEL better and that goes a LONG way towards surviving the winter blues! There are SOOO many yummy and healthy recipes out on the internet. (you can find my Winter Salad here), Or how about getting a new cookbook to try? I just received “Love Real Food” for Christmas this year (link below) and I absolutely LOVE it! You can also find cookbooks at the library, thrift stores, and yard sales too!
#6 CREATE
You don’t have to be an expert crafter, seamstress, or DIY’er to be creative. A few years back I was really going through a creative struggle. Winter was in full swing and I was starting to feel lost and depressed. But I quickly snapped out of it by challenging myself to do something I’d never done, but always wanted to do. PAINT! No, not paint a wall or a piece of furniture. A canvas! Like a real artist! It took me TOTALLY out of my comfort zone, but it felt AMAZING! This year I decided it’s time to learn how to sew. No, I’m not going to be an expert. But I will be able to stitch on a button or fix a seam. And best of all? I learn something new! If you’re looking to learn something new and creative, Masterclass is a great resource! Here are a few ideas…
- Specialty Cooking
- Knitting
- Gardening
- Bread Making
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Painting
- Writing
#7 GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
Sometimes…no matter how hard we try, the winter blues show up anyway. Maybe you’re battling a nasty cold, the sun hasn’t made an appearance in days, or you just don’t feel like moving off the couch. It’s okay. We all get down at times. And getting back up can be hard to do. So take some time for yourself. Treat yourself to a fresh bouquet of flowers-even if they are from your local grocery store. Buy your favorite latte at the coffee shop, or that scarf you’ve had your eye on. Take an extra few minutes in the shower or bath and just breathe.
More ways to take care of yourself:
- Get a manicure or pedicure. (Not in the budget? Ask a friend or significant other and offer to give them one in return!)
- Skip social media for a couple of hours and watch a movie or catch up on your favorite TV show.
- Read a book
- Pray
- Meditate
- Take a nap
- Make a cup of tea, cocoa, or cappuccino and sip it while mindlessly staring out the window at nothing.
Winter can be a difficult time for many of us. But I hope today’s post reminds you to be kind to yourself. And that just like many things in life…this too shall pass!
SHARE THIS POST
I’d love to hear how you overcome the winter blues!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
