For some, leaving the house for work or school and arriving back home in the pitch black can sometimes make you feel like you've missed a whole day! For others, the gloominess is overwhelming and claustrophobic and can make you feel like hibernating along with the animals!
It's at this time of year that many people suffer with general "winter blues." Others may develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (or aptly named SAD for short), a "winter depression" that is usually more severe in the winter months.
So how can we pull ourselves out of the winter blues and stay positive during the darker months? We can learn a lot about surviving and embracing the winter from the Scandinavians, many of whom spend up to 6 months of the year in twilight and never-ending darkness!
Norwegians have this lovely word, "koselig." It's quite hard to define as it's more of feeling that is created! That cosy, warm feeling you might get when enjoying a traditional roast dinner by a country pub fire, or how you feel when wrapped up in blankets watching Christmas films with the kids on the sofa, complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows!
Koselig embodies warmth, cosiness, happiness and content. So how can we make our lives more koselig and fight off those winter blues? Here are some simple ideas!
Light up your life
Light, or the lack of it, can really dampen our moods. In fact, SAD sufferers and those who need a bit more of a boost, can opt for light therapy using specially made lights. For those just seeking a bit more sparkle to "lighten" the mood, why not fill your room with fairy lights and candles, or treat yourself to a nice new table lamp!Low lighting and scented candles can help you de-stress. |
Snuggle up
One of my favourite winter pastimes is wrapping up on the sofa with soft fleecy blankets, cosy warm socks, a hot drink and a good film or series to get stuck into. Whack the heating on or light the fire to make it really toasty! The whole family can be involved in a snuggle-up sesh, and its a lovely way to while away a few happy hours in the evening!Wrap up for a walk
Grab your thickest coat, layer up with scarves, gloves and warm shoes and get out for some fresh air! You don't have to go far; even just a brisk walk around the block will get your blood flowing and make you feel re-energised. Make sure you stick to well-lit areas or wear something bright and reflective so you are visible to traffic in the dark. So put your (thermal) positive pants on and get outdoors!Wrapped up for a walk in the snow! |
Hot drink treat
Another of my favourite things is treating myself to a nice coffee when I'm out and about. But this doesn't have to stop when you're at home! Buy a selection of seasonal flavoured teas or nice coffees - The instant flavoured sachets are great for this. Add marshmallows, whipped cream and wafer rolls to hot chocolates. Make your own mulled wine or warm fruit punch. Get that posh coffee shop feeling with half the calories and cost, and indulge in the decadence and enjoyment of a homemade hot drink treat!Treat yourself to a luxury hot chocolate! |
Have a "Mum's Night In!"
Being a mum of two small children, I know just how hard it is to take some time out for yourself. If childcare in the evenings is hard to come by, or you want to take advantage of your partner being out for the evening then why not organise a "Mum's Night In!" Wait til the kids are in bed, get everyone to bring some nibbles or something to drink, find a girly film or some face packs and let your hair down in the comfort of your (or your friend's) home!Have a "Mum's Night Out!"
If you'd rather not risk waking the kids, then pin yourself down a babysitter and get out with some friends! It doesn't have to be a military operation as most child-free nights tend to be - just a trip to catch a film at the cinema or a drink or two in a local bar will do!Enjoy some time out with your friends. |
Bake with the kids
One benefit to the nights drawing in is that we can often trick our little cherubs into thinking it's bedtime sooner than it really is! But if that ain't happening in your house, why not do some baking with the kids after school? Trust me, it doesn't have to be anything to taxing or too time-consuming (I can't cope with much more than crispy cakes!) as I guarantee you, your kids will just relish the time spent with you doing something a bit different on a school night!Pastry pirate treasure bags. |
Take up an exercise class
Many people (including myself) think winter is an excuse to over-indulge! Christmas day ends up turning into Christmas month, beginning early November with Christmas markets and before you know it, you've piled on the pounds! Feeling sluggish at this time of year doesn't help with the nights drawing in as we have a tendency to "hide-er-nate" - hide away, hibernate, veg on the sofa and generally avoid social interaction!So stop wishing you were healthier and making a New Year's resolution to change - there's no time like the present! Research local exercise classes, join a local running group, go swimming or get down the gym! Exercise releases endorphins, our body's own feel good chemicals. The hardest part is hauling yourself off the sofa in the dark to get there, but once you're there, no doubt you'll enjoy yourself and will end up feeling better for it!
Talk, talk, talk
Hands up who has unlimited free minutes on their mobile phones? Keep your hand up if you rarely use any? That's me. Life is so extraordinarily busy and often mundane, just going through the daily motions, and we just don't find the time to stop and chat to friends and family. So why not make time to keep these important connections going? This is something I need to work on. Pin down a time and a day to have a chat with your best mate or your Mum, and get dialing! A good chat is good for the soul! Just remember to surround yourself with positive people to help keep the winter blues at bay!Embrace the season!
Look out for events going on in your local community and beyond, you'll be surprised at just how many great things you could get involved with! At this time of year, there are Christmas markets, local Christmas fairs (most schools and churches have them), and carol services. There are even winter wonderland style events with funfairs and ice-skating rinks! Garden centers are great for a little festive trip out, and many of them have smaller Santa's Grottos with shorter queues! You can't help but get into the seasonal spirit with all that cheer around!Wander around your local Christmas market and soak up the atmosphere. |
Give something back
One of the most humbling ways to pull yourself out of a seasonal funk is to go and help out someone in need. Seek out your local homeless charities and see what they need help with at this time of year - it could be donations of your old clothes, food for food banks or a few hours of your time volunteering at the soup kitchens or homeless shelters.Could you give up some time to help others this year? |
There are so many ways to stay positive during the winter months, and you don't have to spend a fortune either. Keep your spirits up and remember to cherish every moment you have on this planet - Life is too short.
Look after yourselves and each other - Remember, if you are really suffering and think you may have depression or SAD, please do make an appointment to chat to your GP. For a list of symptoms, visit the NHS website and seek professional advice if you need it. Don't suffer in silence - there is so much help out there, don't be afraid to take it.
What are your favourite ways to spend these dark wintry days and nights? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!
Finding joy in the little things: Well, many of the things I've written about above are little things that I enjoy. If you look hard enough, you will find joy in every day, even the darkest, coldest ones! I love the way my kids throw themselves head first into the winter season - they love to wrap up in hats, scarves and wellies and go on a muddy walk. Their eyes light up when we stop at a park because, "it's never too cold to have fun Mummy!" We can learn a lot from our children, can't we?
Click me to pin!
I'm linking up this post with these fabulous blogs:
|
11/12/18 : Our post was chosen as the "Featured Post" over on Confessions of a New Mummy! Thank you Kate! :)
These are some really great tips, there is nothing I love more than snuggling up to watch something on the tele with a blanket and a hot drink!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
Me too! It's one of my favourite things to do in winter! :)
DeleteI like the candle light idea - in Denmark and Finland (and Switzerland), we noticed a lot of restaurants and cafes lit up with candles and the 'mood' permated to the streets, even if you were just walking down and not going in. Good tip #Triumphanttales
ReplyDeleteThat sound lovely! I know candles get quite a bad press, but I really love them! :)
DeleteI will be taking all of these into consideration. they all sound so calming and comforting
ReplyDeleteWinter is all about comfort! Enjoy! :)
DeleteSome excellent tips here - especially the last one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ruth. I think it's really important to give something back to those less fortunate, in whatever little way you can. :)
DeleteSo many great tips. I Love the run up to Christmas but afterwards I'm concious if I need to practice lots of self care and ensure I get lots of sunlight. Thank You
ReplyDeleteYes, I think a lot of people suffer more in January, when all the celebrating and visiting is over. It's so important to look after ourselves. :)
DeleteSelf care is something I struggle with at the best of times but especially in the run up and during the Christmas period. Excellent tips, thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteIt can be such a busy and overwhelming time that sometimes we forget to put ourselves first and think about the little things we can do to lift our spirits. :)
DeleteI get SAD. It creeps up on me sometimes. I find that taking St Johns Wort has taken the edge off, and making sure I get out in natural daylight every day. These are some really helpful tips - I shall try some of them out. #ItsOk xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about the St John's Wort! Thank you also for your kind comment Kate. :)
DeleteI used to live in Alaska where there is a lot of darkness. I'm finding it harder living now in Seattle because even though it snowed a lot in Alaska, that meant that it also made things bright and white which really helped. Seattle winters are just overcast, rainy and dreary. Though they are SO much warmer!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I'd prefer - cold and snowy or rainy and gloomy! Thank you for commenting Calleen. :)
DeleteCooking with my little one helps. Also lots of playdates for her. Even at our house. Her having a playmate helps free me up! #anythinggoes
ReplyDeleteTracy
www.viewfromthebeachchair.com
I know what you mean, it is often easier to get on with things if the kids have got playmates round! :)
DeleteI find getting outside makes a huge difference, especially with the kids. With these longer nights, it can feel a bit claustrophobic otherwise! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree - the cold won't stop us from venturing out and about! We always feel a bit better after some fresh air. :)
DeleteGreat tips. I think the long nights and less daylight really do make people feel a bit down so make the most of the good bits about being indoors together as a family. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a nice way to look at it. Value your time together, wherever it may be. :)
DeleteTotally all of this! For me, getting outside on a particularly crisp day definitely helps. #kcacols
ReplyDeleteAnd us too, Carol! Thank you for your comment. :)
Deletegreat tips and definitely needed at the mo. i like leaving fairy lights up through the year. they make the dark nights a bit brighter. and getting out for a walk is a must for feeling better and lifting our spirits. i find it always helps even if i feel super low. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWe have some of those little sets of battery operated lights on our fireplace, so even though they don't give off much light, they certainly help with the ambience in an evening. :)
DeleteGreat ideas to embrace the winter season! I actually like the winter but I would prefer if it doesn't last too long though. I love the idea of candles. Love candles and I have them all over the house. My girls love drinking hot chocolate during the winter so we have been doing this more than usual. And for me a nice latte for sure or the new Xmas drinks that are offering at Costa. Have you tried them? They are amazing! Also getting out and about with the girls for a walk or travelling. We love exploring new towns too. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas with us at #kcacols :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI'd love to work my way through the festive menus at the coffee shops but I don't think my waistline would thank me for it!! My kids have enjoyed hot chocolate more so since they were given some of those cones with the marshmallows and candy canes in! Made it a bit more of a special treat for them! Thank you for your lovely comment. :)
DeleteThese are great ideas! Having grown up in Sweden, long, dark and cold winters are a very familiar thing for me. I’m so thankful to be living on the English south coast now, where the winters are shorter and milder. Candles, music, nice food & drink etc helps, as does getting outdoors. Also, seed catalogues can be a wonderful thing! They kept me alive for two of the worst winters of my life, when we had weeks on end of snowy weather and freezing cold (about -20 to -25, sometimes colder too). Xx
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of planning your garden in the winter, ready to get going in the spring! A great idea, thank you! :)
DeleteI love snuggling up on the sofa with my daughter watching movies when it's cold, it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI do too, it's a lovely way to spend some time together. :)
DeleteLovely ideas here. We actually love the colder days as it gives us some chance to cuddle up and enjoy a bit of Hygge. #MMBC
ReplyDeleteIt's a good excuse to actually slow down the pace of life a bit isn't it? :)
DeleteI suffer from SAD or winter blues as did my mother. That's one of the reasons I moved to Florida with its bright sun. No more months of gray for me. If someone else suffers from it, I suggest they read the classic book that defined it, Winter Blues by Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal. They might also consider buying a full spectrum light for light therapy. #MMBC
ReplyDeleteFantastic advice, thank you for sharing it. :)
DeleteI hate this time of year. It is always so gloomy. I love to snuggle under a blanket when it's like this. Watching a good film with a hot chocolate x #MMBC
ReplyDeleteMe too! Love a good film with a nice hot drink! :)
DeleteI definitely have a touch of those Winter blues at the moment, I've been trying to get outside more as well as taking comfort in blankets and feel good films. Great tips ! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteEven when it's cold, it's always good to get a bit of fresh air. Even better to snuggle under blankets in front of the T.V when you get back! :)
DeleteFab tips! I am all about the comforts in winter! We do love a good winter walk as well. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with #MMBC. Have a good weekend. x
Thank you Jayne. :)
DeleteReading this I cannot stop thinking about hygge which is very similar it seems #mmbc
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it is! :)
DeleteI like the sounds of the mums night in- & out! All great ideas #MMBC
ReplyDeleteSometimes I prefer a mums' night in in the winter! Saves on wrapping up to go outside, and you can keep your comfy slippers on too! :)
Delete