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 ways to 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. We 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. We have real candles for the amazing smells and fake candles that turn on in the evening for that low light coziness. Try to enjoy this time of slowing down even when there isn’t much sunlight.
BRING NATURE INSIDE
While nature sleeps outside, bringing some life in your home not only helps with color, but it 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 to help with those winter blues.
Enjoy a Winter Wardrobe
I love the idea of seasonal wardrobes especially if you live in a place where the seasons are more drastic. Make sure you have some staple pieces in your closet that you love! Have a few cozy sweaters, some cute jackets, and some must have loungewear. In the winter, it’s super important to dress for the weather, but it’s fun to still dress cute. One of my new favorite places to shop for my winter essentials is Pine and Needle Boutique. This unique online clothing store for women has a large variety of styles and options and sizes XS to 5X! These clothes are also really affordable. So if you need some cute winter staples, make sure to visit Pine and Needle Boutique and use the promo code: parenting20 for 20% off your first purchase.
I recently got this sweater and jacket. So cute, right? You can find a similar sweater here and the jacket here.
Get Outside
As much as I hate the cold, getting outdoors is good for the soul and good for the body. Sunshine helps our immune system, helps us sleep better, improves brain function, and slows the aging process. Try to take a daily walk outside, even for just a few minutes. Make sure to let the light into your home by keeping the blinds open. Sit outside for a few minutes while you drink your morning coffee or hot chocolate. I don’t even want to tell you how much hot chocolate I drink in the winter. Finding ways to get into the sunshine will help you physically and it will help your happiness.
Plan a Trip
One of the things we love to do as a couple in January is to plan for the year. We have a podcast episode all about how we plan, so definitely check that out for more details. But planning a family vacation is a great way to have something to look forward to. Since we live in northern Utah, it’s pretty cold through March, so we like to plan a trip to southern Utah (where it’s a bit warmer) and explore one of the amazing National Parks there. So we get warmer weather, some much needed sun, and family time. If you decide to plan a roadtrip, we have some great tips for you that will hopefully help it not be so crazy of a drive.
What are your favorite ways to beat the winter blues? Let us know on Instagram!