I don’t know about you but the winter season drains my spirits. I lack motivation, confidence and my mood is often lackluster. It’s so easy to get down in the dumps when the temperature is cold, and the weather is crappy. All I want to do is stay indoors and veg but, that doesn’t seem to help.
A few weeks ago I was really down. I just felt like I had been going through the motions for a long time. Then I remembered that it’s just the winter blues and I decided I am not going to let this season bring me down any longer.
Here is what I am doing to battle the winter blues:
On nice days get outside
A few days ago the weather was warm and sunny. I ate lunch outside and it was a big boost to my spirits. The sun felt so good on my skin and it made excited for the warmer months ahead. Even on the not so nice days it’s great to get out and walk around your neighborhood.
Stick to your workout routine
There are so many days when it’s cold and dark where all I want to do is go home and get into bed. Instead of giving in to that feeling I head to the gym. On the days that I do workout I feel so much better. I guess the saying is true, you only regret the workouts you don’t do.
See family and friends
Like I said, in the winter it’s easy to stay in and isolate yourself, but it’s so much better to up and out. Getting together with family and friends is a great way to relax and catch up with people you love and that love you back.
Surround yourself with color
Wearing bright colors or buying yourself pretty flowers are great pick-me-ups. I love going to Whole Foods and buying myself a bouquet of flowers for my desk at work or my apartment. They look pretty and enjoy going to the store and getting them.
Self care routines
When I take the time to do a face mask or light a candle and read a book it relaxes me. I know I am taking care of myself inside and out. The most important relationship you have is with yourself, and I like those quiet moments with just me.
Take a break from social media or electronics
There is so much negativity in the world that sometimes I just need to take a break from it. I’ll stay away from social media and stop listening to the news for a few days. Doing this feels like a weight is lifted off of me.
Do you ever get the winter blues? How do you fight back?
Thanks for reading!
XO- Samantha Leigh
Self-care is one of my favorite ways to beat the winter blues as well! Relaxing never fails to cheer me up 🙂
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We all need a recharge sometimes
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Great tips! I do yoga and meditate to get through the winter blues. xx
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I just found a yoga studio by me I think I am going to give a try. I have dabbled with it here and there.
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Yay! That’s incredible
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Love the suggestion of including bright colours in your daily life in winter! Must be part of our hibernation mode, no colour, greys, browns, gloom, gloom, gloom (helps the sleeping happen!) but that’s not what we want is it? So bring on the colour! Thanks for that Samantha!
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Bring on the color! and bring on the happiness!
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I need this post! I’ve been feeling a bit “blehh” this winter. It can be tough, especially when it’s cold and gray, but one of the best things is getting outside as much as possible. Sticking to your workout routine is important too! Thanks for sharing these great tips!
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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed. I totally understand what you mean about feeling bleh.
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Great tips! I actually love winter but I deal with depression so sometimes I have winter blues even if I love it, I find that enjoying the sunny days totally help
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It’s tough! I agree it’s little things like sunny days that lift me up.
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I’m all for this! I love being outdoors for examples to beat the blues during winter! It’s something I try to do as I’m prone to hibernate and shut everyone out once winter hits!
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It’s so easy to hibernate and shut everyone out so I totally get it! Thanks for reading!
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I love the idea of surrounding yourself with color & some beautiful flowers. also a workout really does help rather than just crawling into bed. lovely post!
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Thanks! Yes much better than crawling into bed event though it was tempting haha
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Yep, I agree, winter blues are a thing! I feel like I have a tendency to hibernate if given the chance. Lately, I have been taking a walk before I start my day, just round the block so only about 20 minutes, but I think it really helps. It will soon be brighter days x
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I love the idea of starting the day with a nice walk. Get the day moving!
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These are great tips–especially getting outside. But the most important thing you shared was to be proactive. Sometimes you just gotta push yourself.
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For sure have to push yourself! Some days are harder than others.
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I used to live in Hawaii and my mood definitely changed if it rained for days and I couldn’t head to the beach as normal! I could never live in a place that snows all winter hahah I’d be miserable!
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Haha it’s nice the first snowfall after that I am over it!
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Great points. We are lucky where I live – we get a lot of winter sun, so I take my laptop outside and work in the sun, it does wanders for my mood.I also try to stay away from news in general, I keep up with whats going on by skimming news website really fast and that’s about that, can not handle all the sadness.
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This is a great list! I’ve struggled with depression for most of my life and choose to avoid medication and take a holistic approach, but winter time is TOUGH! These are all things I incorporate into my everyday life to avoid getting down!
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These things can totally be used all year round for multiple situations. Life can be really hard! I admire your holistic approach.
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Here, where I live, the good weather days are being rudely interrupted by stupid weather. I’m making up for it by bringing in bright flowers to cheer the house.
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Here, where I live the weather is acting stupid. I’ve countered it by bringing bright florals to liven up the house.
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Beautiful!
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I am knee deep in hibernation mode so I needed these. I see a Mommy spa night in my near future.
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A spa night sounds lovely!
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Great tips…I definitely need to use some of these. Come on Spring!!!
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I’m counting down the days!
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Self-care routines are best for winters!
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I agree!
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I am here for this! Winter is my favorite season, but I can totally understand why it makes people feel down in the dumps. I’ve found that on beautifully sunny days, even if it’s deathly cold outside, sitting by the window (preferably a HUGE window) helps. You’re almost out in nature, but still protected from the cold by the four walls surrounding you. 🙂
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I like that idea! Get some light without feeling so cold!
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Another possible solution? Relocate to a warmer climate! That is part of the reason I moved my family to Houston, Texas about a decade ago. We have never regretted it
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Sometimes I really wish I could haha!
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I am not a very winter or dark days person. I found exercising and meeting with friends most helpful to keep the blues away. Great tips here.
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Thanks! I think those two are my favorites as well.
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I just got to go out for a walk today and enjoy some sunshine. It seriously helped with my winter blues!
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I did too! It was so nice really put me in good mood.
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Love your tips! I find that taking a break from electronics and working out are my absolute favorite ways to beat the winter blues. You’re so right about both being needed sometimes!
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Breaks are great!
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I’ve definitely been feeling the winter blues this entire season and the dreary, cold weather here always makes me not want to go out. Today though, the sun was out and shining and the temperature was finally a little warmer than normal and it felt great. I love the idea of having colorful flowers and such to light up the room during these times!
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Flowers make me so happy! It was nice by me too I went for a walk around my new neighborhood and found the cutest yoga studio! Great nigh!
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I too suffer from the winter blues. I love how you said “you only regret the workouts you don’t do,” I have never heard that saying before but it’s so true! One last idea is to get a “happy light” I love mine and it gives a nice boost of UV rays which makes me feel super energized and productive.
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That’s too funny I was actually looking in to getting one.
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These are great tips! The winter blues sure have been hanging around here!
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Hopefully not for too much longer.
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It’s so hard in the winter where I live (pacific northwest), our sunny winter days are a rare thing. I tend to fall into hibernation mode and that never ends well for me.
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Hibernation gets the best of me too.
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Great ideas! I always feel better after a walk or, when I’m by myself, turning up the volume up really lucky in the car and singing at the top of my voice 🙂 Winter is awful…i can’t wait for Spring!
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We’re getting closer! Singing is a good one too. I love to sing with my music in the shower. I think I sound pretty good haha
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