You might want to curl up on the couch and eat starches from morning to night, and this is ok sometimes as part of a scheduled self-care routine, but there are other ways to take care of yourself during the winter. Be mindful of whether the issue is a need for small self-care rituals or whether the issue you face is bigger, such as depression or seasonal affective disorder which is a very real thing in kids and in adults.
We hear a lot of chatter about self-care, but there are some situations that go beyond the scope of just a bubble bath and a manicure. For example, if you are facing abuse in a relationship, you can’t self-care your way into a more loving situation. An extremely stressful job or financial problems in a family are situations that may require bigger and more permanent changes, such as counseling with a therapist or the help of an attorney.
But if you’re just facing the temporary winter blahs, the suggestions below can help improve your mood at least for a little while:
*Bundle up and take a short walk when the sun is shining (to mitigate that cold) and expose you to some rays of sun during the short winter days.
*If you hate the cold, walk up and down the steps several times a day to give yourself a boost of energy and get your oxygen flowing.
*Consider using light therapy, with a device like the one found here. It really does help.
*Add root vegetables like squash into your diet to give yourself a boost of vitamins.
*Reread your favorite book.
*Read a completely silly book that you normally wouldn’t just because it is fun and light.
*Complete a puzzle with a friend one dreary weekend.
*Rewatch a movie you loved from when you were a kid or teenager and relive the enjoyment you felt back then.
*Visit an art or science museum to get your creative juices flowing.
*Watch YouTube and learn a new hobby, like crochet or painting. You don’t have to be great at it- just doing something different replaces something else we are missing.
*Pick a place in your house to organize to give yourself a feeling of accomplishment. Don’t get overwhelmed with the whole house or the whole room. Just work on this one corner.
*Make a list of the things you’ve accomplished. You will surprise yourself. Having trouble generating a list? Start a friend or sibling circle and send reminders of achievements to each other.
*Treat yourself to a small gift. Even something as small as a candle by your bedside can bring a smile to your face.
*Smell something good, like a candle or a freshly laundered towel.
*Keep your head up. Winter has a purpose and so do you!
Do you have any really helpful tips and tricks for beating the winter blahs? Share them with us!