Winter brings an array of changes. Changes in weather, changes in activities and the onset of the holiday season. It can also bring on what most refer to as the Winter Blues. How do you push through it? How do you not let it consume your joy? Here are some tips that I have found helpful on how to beat the Winter Blues.
(Disclosure: I am not referring to any medical condition and none of my advise should be taken as medical advise. If you feel you have a medical condition you should always talk to your provider)
I felt it on that first cold and gloomy day. I didnt have my usual energy. My body felt like it was freezing up and didnt want to move. I didnt feel my usual optimism for the day and just felt like I was dragging. For some, you may have the blues associated with the holiday season and feel frustrated that you dont seem to have the same cheer as everyone around you. There is nothing wrong with you for feeling this way!
My first few years as a mom I did a LOT of coping. I did what I had to simply to get through the day. I would get overwhelmed to the point not feeling like I could accomplish anything. During that time I did experience some depression that needed treatment. You can read more about that in THIS POST. Now I have come to realize when I have more minor symptoms associated with this time of year that I have found some simple ways to help me not only get through it but also enjoy myself in the process!
There are some exciting things about this time of year that deserve some recognition and that can really help you get in the mood for winter.
HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES :
- Snow can be beautiful! While I dont enjoy slick roads or being cooped up due to bad weather, I truly enjoy the beauty of snow covering the ground and letting my kids go play in it!
- Decorating for the season can be a fun thing to do even if you dont want to decorate for the holidays. Making a warm and festive home is a great way to cheer the soul.
- Its a great time to cuddle up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and READ! Do you have a stack of books you’ve been wanting to dig into? This is the perfect time to do it! Do you loathe reading? This is a great time to give it a shot and try to find something to pique your interest!
- Warm Drinks I enjoy mixing it up this time of year. I like to get a few different herbal teas to try. Ill also do a little coffee or a vanilla steamer. Herbal Chai is one of my favorite teas that I will put in a little cream and honey and its delicious!
- Its the time of year for COZY Slippers and Socks. If you dont have a cozy pair of slippers or socks….get some…they will make you happy.
Now that we have covered the things that can get you excited about Winter, here are some things to help you beat the winter blues and help you snap out of a slump. You may find that some of these tips are similar to the ones in THIS post but I find that these tips can help with a lot of things!
- Get outside if you can. Even if its cold try to bundle up to get some fresh air for even 5 minutes.
- Turn on some uplifting music. I like to dance with my kids and this gets us ALL moving and puts us in a good mood! We really love the song called “HAPPY” by Pharrell!
- Exercise. I have to admit that when I have the winter blues, the last thing I want to do is exercise. I find yoga to be the most motivating thing for me or even just doing some stretches can really help warm up the muscles. Or as I said above…dance party!
- Drink a cup of tea. I know I mentioned this already but making yourself a delicious warm drink can do wonders. Put it in a special cup to really lift your spirits!
- Call a Friend. I dont do this enough Even if you have just a few minutes, call someone that you know will brighten your day. Try to avoid talking to someone who will drain or discourage you. That can just make things worse.
- Diffuse Essential Oils. Find oils that make you happy and relax you. Lavender, Cedarwood and Orange are some of my favorite to diffuse together!
- Magnesium. Whether you take an epsom salt bath or do a supplement I highly recommend researching magnesium and how it helps with so many functions in the body. It has played a huge part in helping me with emotions and hormones and I cant recommend it enough! There is a great group on Facebook called the “Magnesium Advocacy” group that is a wealth of information! THIS is the supplement I take and that my body responds best to.
- B vitamins. I try to eat grassfed liver at least once a week to help get my B vitamins. It has helped me so much and I feel such an improvement in my hormones when I have it in my diet. When I dont have any liver I take THIS supplements.
You may have read the picture above saying that there were NINE tips and I only have EIGHT written down.
This last thing I wanted to get into a little more in depth with you. I have a grandma that lives just a few blocks away from me. She will come over frequently to help me with laundry and give me encouragement.
I truly appreciate the help with the laundry but I value my conversations with her the most because she is constantly trying to encourage and uplift me. She will tell me what her bible verse of the day is and we will chat about it and how it applies.
The other day she shared that she had listened to a message on the radio by a woman who had lost her husband while they lived in another country and had a small child.
The news of her husband being killed sent her into shock yet with a small child she had to keep going. She said she had to just focus on what the next thing was that she had to do. It was too much for her to think about everything so she took it one moment at a time and only did the next task at hand.
That is my last thing I want to leave with you. When you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. DO THE NEXT THING. Whatever that thing is…it could be washing dishes,making supper, playing with your kids, taking a shower. No matter what it is you need to do just focus on doing that one thing.
