Have you been feeling the winter blues lately?
I’m not going to lie. They’ve been hitting me hard lately.
It’s getting colder outside, I’m not really motivated to do much and all I want to do is stay in bed and eat pizza.
Maybe it’s the ever present stress of life post-graduation. Or the fact that I won’t be able to visit back home in Africa this Christmas (like I have for the past 2 years).
So if you’ve been feeling as dejected as I am, I feel your pain.
But I want to do something about it.
Winter is one of my fav seasons after all!!
It’s the period of snow, hot chocolate and Christmas and I don’t want to spend the entire season feeling down and being a debbie downer!
So if you’ve also been hit with a serious case of winter blues, here are 7 self-care habits for you and I to implement this season to get back to a good place so we can actually enjoy the winter season instead of dreading it.
1. Prioritize time with friends and family (even if you don’t feel like it)
During the winter, it’s easy to want to socialize less and less.
It’s getting cold AF outside and you have to wear all these layers every time you want to go out.
I have a friend who likes to say she becomes an “indoor cat” as soon as winter starts🤣.
But the downside of you being so anti-social is you’re just going to spend the winter indoors by yourself in a blanket, watching Netflix.
Even THAT gets boring after a while let’s be real.
So make the effort to plan some fun activities with your friends and family. It will help you combat those winter blues and the loneliness that often comes with it.
If you really don’t want to go out, why not plan a movie night or game night at your house and invite your friends over? That way you guys still get to hang out together without freezing your butts off.
If you’d like to add some interesting questions to ask during your game night, check out my post on some funny, random questions to ask your friends to have a laugh!
2. Create a fun, upbeat playlist
This is a bit of a cliche but it’s still worth mentioning!
I find that music makes everything better and whenever I feel really sad or a bit blah, listening to my favourite songs instantly lifts my spirits.
And since it’s the winter season, why not add some Christmas music to your playlist. It always adds a bit of magic and excitement in the air and will also help you get in the mood for Christmas.
If you’re old school, you can play some traditional Christmas carols on repeat in your house. Or why not spice it up and look for some more upbeat and modern versions of the same songs? I’m a huge fan of the Michael Bublé ones.
3. Stick to a routine
When you’re dealing with seasonal blues, it’s easy to feel a lack of motivation and control over your own life.
But you know what helps you feel in control? A routine…especially in the morning.
It gives your days some predictability and doing things as part of your routine helps you feel accomplished and content.
So set up a routine for yourself but make sure to keep it fun and as simple as possible.
Maybe start your morning a little earlier so you have time to read a chapter of your favourite book or watch an episode of your favourite show. I recently started doing this and it actually helps me get up in the morning when all I want to do is sleep in.
Or, have a cup of tea before bed and do some end of day journaling as part of your night routine.
4. Stay active and have fun doing it
The winter season is NOT an excuse to let yourself go!
Amidst all the yummy food you’ll be eating for Thanksgiving and Christmas, make sure to prioritize movement too.
Staying active will help keep you fit and mentally healthy throughout the winter season. The natural boost in happy hormones like endorphins and serotonin that you get from exercising will do wonders for your winter blues.
Of course, keep it simple and fun so you can actually sustain it.
For instance, these days I am enjoying taking short walks and going to my dance classes every week. Those are simple ways I am keeping my body active while having fun too.
5. Plan a fun present for yourself
I am a HUGE FAN of gift-giving…especially to myself! Haha.
In all seriousness, I strongly urge you to plan a nice present for yourself this season.
You don’t even have to wait until Christmas to open it (although that’s part of the fun imo).
And even if you already know what it is, take the time to properly wrap it and put a cute little bow on it. I believe that preparing a gift for yourself is one of the ultimate acts of self-love and it also gives you something to look forward to!
6. Lock in on your favourite Christmas traditions and make sure to DO THEM!
Instead of locking yourself in your room all winter, CHOOSE to fully embrace the fun of the season!
Think back to when you were a little kid (I feel like everything was nicer during our childhoods btw). Are there some things that you really enjoyed about winter?
Was it building a snowman outside?
Was it staying up super late watching Christmas movies with your family?
Whatever winter/Christmas traditions meant a lot to you and helped you enjoy the season back then, make it a priority to bring them back to your present life.
If you don’t have any, create some new ones!
My fav parts of winter are the dinner parties with my extended family, opening presents and sipping on some hot chocolate while wearing my cozy socks at home.
This year, I’m finding it a bit hard to be as excited about the season as I usually am which is why I’m determined to bring back these traditions and be fully present in them.
7. Volunteer and help others experience the magic of Christmas
Sometimes a way to fill your own cup is by pouring into someone else’s.
So consider searching in your area for volunteering opportunities.
You could help prepare and serve meals for the homeless. Or you could spend some time doing fun activities with children who are sick in hospital.
Help others experience the fun and magic of the holiday season.
My therapist told me years ago that being of service to others can do wonders when you feel down and she was right.
It’ll be a great opportunity for you to leave your house, stay active and bring some happiness in someone else’s life. I don’t know about you but I think there’s nothing quite like that feeling when you bring a smile to someone else’s face. It does wonders for your own mental health and really helps with any feelings of loneliness or depression you might be feeling.
I hope these tips help you beat your winter blues once and for all. Happy holidays!!
