How To Beat The Winter Blues
K: It’s no secret that the winter months feel longer and seem to drag on for most people as we await the warm days that spring promises. The winter blues, medically known as seasonal affective disorder, are typically caused by the winter months and what they bring with them: colder weather, shorter days, gray skies, etc. It’s a seasonal depression that is usually present in the winter and departs in the warmer months when sunshine is more regular. While Brandon and I can’t claim that we have this, I definitely notice that we don’t have as much energy in the winter and we aren’t as active in our lifestyle.
We thought long and hard about this and the different ways that you can give yourself a little “pick me up” in the winter to avoid feeling mopey or gloomy with the weather. Here are our simple tips on how to beat the winter blues:
Get Outside As Much As Possible
We are outside people. Brandon and I thrive in warmer weather and constantly joke about how we wouldn’t last up north. Living in San Antonio, there are plenty of “winter” days where we can still go to a park, wear a light jacket, and see some sunshine. We feel very blessed to have this sort of weather and know that not everyone can do this. However, if you do have a chance or a day to get outside, make no excuses! Our bodies genuinely need sunlight so anytime you can soak it up, go for a brisk walk in the park, bike ride, or find some sort of activity to do together.
Create Things to Look Forward To
It’s the little things in life, right? Make sure that you take time to plan things that you can look forward to in the winter months: whether it’s a fun date night, a concert that you want to attend, getting together with friends at the house, anything that you can write on you calendar and count down the days till. If you’ve got something coming up that will make you excited and happy, you’re bound to beat the winter blues.
Exercise 3-5 Times Per Week
One of the most obvious ways to help yourself mentally and physically is to exercise regularly. Brandon and I are bad about working out in the winter because we’re big babies about the cold. We walk almost every evening in warmer weather, but there’s just something about the short days and the freezing wind that makes us say no all too often. Pop on a YouTube workout video, have a dance party inside, invest in some weights or a jump rope, or go to the gym a few times a week to ensure that those exercise endorphins are released regularly to keep you happy.
Plan a Weekend Getaway
We have noticed that the best way to get out of a routine is to go somewhere different. Your weekend getaway doesn’t have to require a plane ticket. Just this last weekend we went to Natural Bridge Wildlife Park (about 35 minutes away from our house), and it truly felt like an African safari. We drove around, observed all of the animals from our car, and got to hand feed them too! It’s little mini trips like this that help to create fun memories to snap you out of your usual routine.
If you do want a little bit more, search for cheap flights somewhere that’s warmer than where you are. I know many people who like to budget for one trip in the winter so that they can escape the cold, even if it’s just for a weekend.
Wear Things That Make You Happy
This is definitely not scientifically proven, but wearing happy colors or a cheerful outfit can help your mood to pick up and stay positive. The ribbon bows on this cardigan paired with the silk lace cami are an instant boost to my mood and make getting dressed in the morning much more fun than a drab, dark outfit. In the winter months, darker colors are much more prominent and easy to gravitate towards. Blacks, grey, and deeper colors can be found everywhere. Why not stand out with winter pastels? And if you need a little help on wearing light colors in the dead of winter, we’ve got a post for that here.
Eat Healthy Meals
We all know that healthy foods like a meal that is heavy on vegetables, lean protein, and good grains will give a lot more energy to your body, thus helping you to stay happy and get rid of any negativity. Plus, you’ll want to make sure you’re body has all the vitamins it needs to function properly so that you can be at your best. With a heavy vegetable diet, you know you’re getting more nutrients than if you were to eat a bunch of junk. Your food can absolutely affect your mood, so make sure you’re feeding it the best of the best. We’ve got tons of easy, healthy recipes from last week’s post here.
Location: Parman Library // San Antonio, Texas
On Katherine: Nordstrom cardigan, Willow & Grace Camisole, Similar white pants, Nordstrom booties
On Brandon: Nordstrom sweater (on sale!), J. Crew pants, Tods loafers