4 simple ways to combat winter blues

The Ontario winter has shorter and darker days. The sun does not shine as frequently and is instead often in hiding behind a wall of grey clouds. The word to describe can be dreary. If you are one of those people that looks forward to cold short days all year, cheers to you. This brief article is for those of you who find this time of year a struggle. Longing to have tools to combat the January/winter blues? The Christmas season is over and there are three – three and half months of winter still to endure.

This may sound ungrateful or negative but in reality it is a very real challenge for so many. There is a reason why statistically there are more suicides in the darker winter months. There are multiple factors behind this and one of these is the reality that people are not getting as much natural light and vitamin D but lamps and vitamins are not the only solution.

I would like to lay out 4 simple and creative ways for you to combat the winter blues this January to compliment the vitamins you are taking.

1) Start a winter hobby that brings you joy

So often it feels like life stops in the winter because there are not as many things to do. All of the things that normally bring you joy are no longer available to you. So I suggest having an indoor or outdoor winter hobby that you can look forward to and anticipate this time of year. Having an indoor mini herb winter garden is one example of this. Maybe start an instrument. You could have a reading list or start a book club. You could really get into cooking and start a blog about your culinary adventures. You could join a yoga studio or other exercise group. If you are a parent with young kids this whole idea of winter hobbies can be hard. There are many things that you can do, however and you can even do them with your kids. Reading, puzzling, listening to blogs, doing scrap booking, etc. The world is your oyster. So what will your winter hobby be?

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

Albert Camus

2) Don’t forget to connect with others socially

This one was so hard during the COVID19 restrictions. Typically in the winter we tend to in general connect less with others even without COVID19. Stay engaged do not withdraw. Go to moms groups, sign up for classes book social get togethers. Call or facetime with those you love. When we feel connected, seen, heard and supported this impacts our mental well-being positively.

3) Stay active, eat healthy and get outside

Keeping up health routines can so much harder in the winter. Yummy fresh produce is hard to come by, getting outside is inconvenient and uncomfortable consequently activity can also fall to the wayside. This leads to feeling poorly about yourself as a person and feeling poorly because your body is not getting the nutrients and activity needed to thrive. So how can this be combatted you may ask? Well I challenge you to look up fun winter salads or to make a daily delicious smoothy. It will not look the same in the winter but it can be a different kind of awesome.

Staying active is difficult. Especially if the main joy you get from being active is the fresh air. I do more running and walking in the spring, summer and fall and more weightlifting, yoga, boxing and Pilates in the winter.

Try a new indoor exercise class. Find a way that you like to be active and that motivates you even in those winter months.

4) Take charge of your living space

I prefer to do winter cleaning rather than spring cleaning. Reorganizing, household renos or decorating projects are a way to do a winter hobby and to feel less trapped in your home environment. Clean out that closet, paint that wall, make DIY home decor. Put a beautiful plant with flowers in your office. Declutter. Make space for that new hobby.

Go outside for breaths of fresh air everyday on break at work and/or a couple times a day at home. Take your vitamin D.

Remember your life does not need to be in limbo or on hold because winter is here. Try a fresh new approach with these simple tips this year instead of repeating same old patterns that have never worked.

Hope this has helped.

May you feel empowered to face this winter with different energy. If you are really struggling reach out for mental health support.