Beat the winter blues
After the fun and celebrating the holidays, January and February are often cold and dark and definitely leave me feeling a little down. If you’re already struggling with low energy, then these can be the hardest months of the year. But, with the right preparation, you can make it to spring. Here are five tips to help beat the winter blues.
Make Home Cozy
One of the best ways to get through winter is to lean into it a bit. Make your home cozy and comfortable so you enjoy being there. I love the idea of Hygge which is Danish for “cozy.” Bring out some warm blankets, wear comfortable clothes, and light candles to bring joy and comfort to your home. Try to enjoy this time of slowing down even when there isn’t much sunlight.
Keep plenty of healthy snacks with you
Winter often makes me want to eat sweets! I love baked goods and tasty things that are warm and comforting. As fun is this is, it’s super important to eat these foods sparingly. If you keep healthy snacks prepared and on hand, it’s easier to eat a healthy snack when you’re hungry, rather than going for the sweets. Even bring them in your purse so you can eat on the go rather than stopping at the closest fast food restaurant. Eating good foods can help beat those winter blues.
Get outside and play
Call it play, call it exercise, whatever you call it, get outside and do it. Fresh air and sunlight and super important for your physical body and mental health. As much as I hate cold weather, getting outside is so good for you. If you have the appropriate clothing, you can at least make the outdoors bearable. When I lived in Wisconsin, I was surprised how often people were outside even when it was freezing! My kids played outside at school until 0 degrees! The Swedish like to say “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
If you really don’t enjoy outdoor exercise in winter (like me), then split the difference. Get outdoors for some fresh air, but do your main exercise indoors. If you can’t get to the gym, then there’s plenty you can do in even a small space without any equipment. There are some great YouTube channels that have free workout videos and we bought a Nordictrack Treadmill last year to run inside and I love it! My favorite thing to do is listen to podcasts while I run. And if you need new workout gear, then check out curvesncombatboots.com.
Open your windows every day
Lots of everyday activities create some level of dampness. The main ones are showering/bathing, cooking, and air-drying clothes. At a low level, you may not notice this dampness in the air, but it can affect you, especially if you have a respiratory condition. Opening windows is a great way to ventilate your home and bring in clean, dry air. If you really don’t want to open your windows, then consider running a dehumidifier every now and again.
Bring Nature inside
While nature sleeps outside, bringing some life in your home not only helps with color, but is also a great way to bring more oxygen in your home. I love having house plants that add some green to my home decor. I also love buying fresh flowers to help add some color when the outside is so dull. Decorating with different wood tones or natural materials like leather or furs also help warm up your space and bring that coziness I mentioned before. We have a podcast episode all about ways to bring Hygge into your home.
What are your best tips for surviving the winter blues?