I am not a fan of winter, and every year the winter blues hit hard, maybe even harder as I get older. So many love the change of seasons, and I would even say they love winter and snow, but I am not one of those people. Over the years, I have learned ways to kick those winter blues using my arsenal of tools, supplements, and routines.
Below are my top 10 ways to kick those winter blues during this long winter season:
Enjoy warm drinks and seasonal foods
This was the first year that I focused on eating what was in-season. So during the summer, I ate all the cucumbers, leafy greens, zucchini, beans…whatever was fresh in my garden or the farm stand. Now that winter is here and our farm stands are closed, I buy the vegetables that are at their peak like potatoes, beets, cabbage, and butternut squash. When we eat and drink warm foods/beverages, it can help with digestion, improve our body’s circulation, and even lift energy levels. And who can say no to a good stew, chili, or soup? We also do lots of bone broth, herbal teas, and homemade hot cocoa.
Stay hydrated
During summer, it is easy to know when you are dehydrated, but during winter the symptoms aren’t as obvious. Drinking enough water will help with dry skin, digestion, detoxification, fatigue, and headaches. The general rule of thumb is to drink about half of your body weight in ounces. We love having our Simple Modern stainless steel tumblers for our entire family to maintain proper hydration.
Swap the afternoon cup of joe for herbal teas
I love coffee not only for caffeine but for the ritual of getting up and drinking a warm cup of coffee first thing in the morning. In the afternoon or late evening, I usually have a hot cup of herbal tea. We have some great businesses in Central Mass that sell loose-leaf teas and spices. I cannot recommend Thyme Herbal Apocothary in Worcester enough—the ladies there are fabulous and knowledgeable. They also offer a variety of supplements and local honey.
Prioritize sleep
Winter is the perfect time to get some extra shut-eye (if your kids allow for it). I have battled with sleep disorders over the years from working wonky shifts like second and third, so this year I decided to change up our sleeping routines with the time change. Shifting our normal routine by going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. Seeing the sunrise and having time to myself in the morning has been a game changer for my mental health. In the winter, we have such a short window of light, so I really try to get our family in bed much earlier than summer time.
Create a cozy space and get creative
Even though I don’t like winter, I do love my house during this season. It feels so cozy with the candles, the warm soft blankets, and the comfy wool socks to keep my toes warm. It is the perfect time to try something new. This year, I have been teaching myself how to draw. All of my kids are super talented when it comes to drawing and coloring, and I feel like I never had the time as a kid to learn so here I am late 30s learning how to draw. My favorite nights are snuggled by the fireplace writing for the blog or reading a book. All of this does wonders for my mental health—what are some creative things you will try this winter?
Embrace the light and cold fresh air
If I didn’t switch the curtains to a sheer white curtain I removed them from all of our windows because I want as much light as possible in my house during the winter. Seeing the sun and the light is so important for mental health all year round. To kick those winter blues, try to bring more natural light into your home. If that isn’t an option, you can look into lights that replicate the sun’s rays or red light therapy to help with the winter blues.
The other tip is to open a window or a slider door for at least 10 minutes a day and let the fresh cold air into the home. It helps the air quality, which surprisingly has a lot to do with your health.
Get outside
This one should be number one. Listen, I hate the winter like straight-up despise it, but I try every day to get outside. I have learned to like shoveling and playing in the snow with my kids because I do feel better when I get outside—I just need a swift kick in the butt to get out there.
Days are short in winter especially if you are working full-time indoors, so try to squeeze in a little walk outside or even just 5-10 minutes of standing outside taking in the beautiful scenery. Maybe you are daring and will add grounding on the frigid ground to your routine.
Move your body
Ok, maybe this should be number one! I love working out because I have found something that is so much more than a 45-minute workout. It gives me a great cardio workout plus community. The vibe of the class brightens my day and does so much for my mental health. They even offer a virtual class option that feels like you are in class, check out HIGH Fitness to learn more.
I challenge you if you don’t already have a fitness routine, to find something you love to do and stick with it this winter. I am challenging myself to do strength training this winter, something that is incredibly important for mamas, especially if you are in your late 30s and 40s entering the next phase of life…perimenopause.
Find in-person community
It is very easy to isolate yourself during the winter and not go out especially if you don’t like driving in the snow or the dark like me, but getting out to social events and seeing people is huge. Community is vital to human existence, and we should be intentional about putting ourselves out there. The only way we can find friends or a “village” as busy mamas is by putting ourselves out there by going to events that might make us feel slightly uncomfortable. Central Mass Mom events are a perfect way to get out of the house and meet other mamas with little to no pressure. Deep relationships form when we can have in-person conversations.
Spend time in prayer/meditation.
Prayer has changed my life, attitude, and outlook on life. I am a Christian mama, and although we might not see eye to eye on that, I truly believe that being with oneself in prayer or meditation is so important. Writing in a journal is another great tool. Being able to say out loud or write down the emotions we are facing daily can really help with our mental health, especially during the winter. Everyone’s prayer/meditation routine is going to look different because we are all different people in different seasons of life. But I challenge you to find time for yourself when you can to shut off your busy mind, breathe, and focus on gratitude.
I’m sure that I could add so many more to this list, but start here. If you have any to add, we want to hear them! What do you do to kick the winter blues? Let us know in the comments.
