Does it happen to you, too? That slowness, the sad quiet feelings that come with winter? Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter blues, or doldrums, or whatever you’d like to call it, can affect anybody, and to varying degrees. Once Daylight Savings Time has come and gone, and my daily time in sunlight has been abbreviated, I start to feel it, too. But I have a growing toolbox full of ways to practice self-care in wintertime, and now is the time to start bringing them out. Here are six things I’m planning to do to ease the transition from sunny fall days to chilly winter ones!
Hibernate (mindfully)
Despite dealing with a little bit of SAD, I actually adore winter! One of the very best things about this season (besides Christmas of course) is the urge to hibernate -- not to mention that it becomes much more socially acceptable once the temperature drops! I love nothing more than curling up on the couch with a knitting project in my lap and Samson at my side, all our blankets piled on top of us, to binge-watch something on Netflix for a few hours. (Hot chocolate is non-negotiable in this scenario.) Since I look forward to this coziness so much, it’s something of course I spend time doing. It feels good for my soul.
BUT! If I spend too much time watching TV or being sedentary, it starts to feel not very good anymore. I have to be mindful of balancing hibernation with the rest of the things on this list.
Get outside
What’s better than coming in from a cold, snowy day with ruddy cheeks and the urge for (yes, again) hot chocolate?! There are so many benefits that come from spending time outside during the winter, among them endorphins from exercise, vitamin D from the sun, and simply changing your surroundings. I’m extra grateful for Samson in the wintertime; since he needs a regular walk, that means I get one too. Even when it’s cold, even when it’s snowing, we’re out there trudging along the sidewalks of downtown Northampton! And we’re both the better for it. (Of course, if you have a dog, it’s important to keep their health in mind when it’s very cold, or if salt is used to treat icy sidewalks.) Start with frequent walks now, and it should be easy for us to all keep up the habit come December! And don’t shy from trying new outdoor activities in the winter, like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Those are awesome ways both to get a good workout, and to experience some killer winter scenery up close.
Invest in fresh flowers
Once we say goodbye to the beautiful changing leaves of autumn, there’s not much color to enjoy for a few months. I like to have fresh flowers in the house year-round to remind myself that spring is coming! (Also, blooms are so cheery, don’t you think?) The Bouqs Company ships farm-fresh, cut-to-order flowers that are grown at the mouth of a volcano and along the Pacific coast. I love that the company is eco-friendly and accountable in their practices (and that shipping is free). But the two things I appreciate the most are the wild, unusual selection of flowers (seriously, I can never find unique blooms like protea, ranunculus, or dahlias unless I’m at a specialty florist); and the subscription service. You can set up weekly, monthly, or quarterly deliveries at a savings. I can imagine forgetting I had done it, and then coming home on a snowy day to find fresh flowers waiting for me! (Oh, and if you want to give them a try, use this link to buy-one-get-one-free.)
Pay attention to the little things
It’s weird, but I finally cracked something last winter. When my legs are shaven and my nails painted (or at least, when the nail polish isn’t chipping), I feel soooo much better! So that’s what I do. Even if I don’t feel like it, I shave my legs and paint my nails. And then when I’m having a moment of feeling down, I can think to myself, “At least my nails look good!” It feels almost silly to type it out, but that’s what works.
Keep house
In the spring and summer, I’m not bothered at all by a messy house (probably because we’re usually outside!) But with fall comes this urge to nest, clean, rearrange, purge. I mean, I freaking scrubbed the bathroom sink the other day, which is not normally something I’d enjoy doing at all. But I was so proud of the hard work and finished product! Maintaining a clean, tidy home helps not just while I’m cleaning, but also afterward when I can reap the benefits and truly relax.
Look forward!
I have a growing list of projects I can’t wait to tackle this winter -- sewing, knitting, organizing. I’ve started a secret Pinterest board full of DIYs I want to try, and it’s so fun knowing they’re there waiting for me. Having a list helps me so much, especially in February and March when it feels like winter is dragging on and there’s nothing to look forward to about being stuck inside. Start planning your project list now!
*Special thanks to the Bouqs Co. for sponsoring this post <333
