Anyone else out there sometimes battle the winter blues?
It became very apparent to me, when I, a totally naive Alabamian transplant, moved from the tropics of the south, to Nashville a few years ago. The weather, for only 4 hours north was literally brutal to me. I felt betrayed that my family and friends living here. I felt stupid that I didn’t investigate the climate more. I regretted our move in the winters, and shook my fist at the sky before curling into the fetal position to hibernate for three months. Yes, to anyone rolling their eyes at my dramatic take on life, remember… we southerners have our summers and this isn’t an icicle measuring contest. I’m from the deep south, and I wasn’t going to make it. I had no idea that the weather actually gets so gloomy, and I wasn’t ready.
At one point, our neighbor kept up with the amount of days we went without a single ray of sunlight, and it reached thirty-six.
PS. LOVE a good snow. Usually it’s just rain.
Thirty-six days without sunlight breaking the clouds. That’s a big deal.
I didn’t last long that first winter. If symptoms are bad, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. Go see your doctor. It’s not easy, but you’ll be so glad you did. This is not what I’m discussing today because I am not qualified to talk medicine. But I am sharing my experience, and I hope to hear from others. I think the key or cure or antidote to this kind of thing is actually discussing it.
This year, it’s been a little better, and probably because we’ve had more sunlight in a warmer winter. Part of me hopefully wonders if I’m acclimating. But illness hit our family hard so it’s still been rough. For some reason, it intensifies for me, in January/February/March. I’m white knuckling it to daylight savings and spring weather. We’re getting closer!
So we’ve started doing some preventative things each year, like recognizing symptoms.
Jamin takes the whole blahs of winter so seriously, he plans a getaway if we’re lucky enough to have the luxury of time and funds and babysitting… But mostly, we make sure that I’m doing smaller things like making regular exercise a priority, socializing, and proactive self-care. It’s a collection of small things together that help in big ways.
We’re taught not to be selfish. Not to be dramatic. Not to focus on ourselves. So I caught myself feeling silly writing that ‘list’ above. It’s easy to dismiss symptoms. People like to push away seasonal depression and ignore it. Sometimes, we don’t even realize what’s happening, and that’s the danger of SAD. It can sneak up on you.
I want to urge us all to drop the judgement from a shame-based culture that we inherited, and do whatever works for you so that you feel better. In addition to consulting my doctor in times when things are looking bad, it’s also all about oxytocin and psychology and little ways that work. It’s important to openly discuss and find ways that work, so I can be a better mother, wife, friend and professional.
It’s impossible to fill others’ cups, if you’re always filling your own last.
Since trips aren’t always on the realistic list, if a massage helps, or taking the afternoon off so you can treat yourself to a blowout, or going out with friends, baking, crafting, anything… reach out. Eat smarter. Take care of yourself. Find what works for you. I find that I plan more ahead when winter is on the horizon so that I can make time to do the things that I need to do.
My home is my therapy. When I find that I’m spending more time indoors, it’s good to use that as an opportunity to create a sanctuary for myself, in the little things. Today I thought I’d share easy spring touches in your home to add a little bit of happy to your life. {Some of the below are affiliate links so that I can afford mah boujee self-care anti-sad blowout.}
Easy ways to combat the winter blues in your home:
1. A happy light + weighted blankets
You’d be amazed at what a difference this light can make if you’re low on vitamin D.
And a weighted blanket is perfect when the weather is freezing. These are sold according to your body weight, so read up before you take the dive. Both have made a big difference for me.
2. Freshen up with flowers + candles
You probably don’t feel like cleaning, if you’re not feeling up to par, but you can definitely trick your senses. Bright pops of color with flowers {from the grocery store… they don’t have to be fancy} + lighting a candle can work wonders for the soul. For me, it’s the little things, every day that help the most. Maybe I’m mentioning the obvious. Sometimes, it’s the little things we forget about when we’re feeling overwhelmed.
Bonus: Enlist the unconventional
I realized that I really missed our mirror balls from our last house. This year, I brought the sparkle back, so when the sunlight actually comes out, it won’t be missed. Staying in brighter environments are just better for seasonal funk. I found a giant mirror ball here for a great price, and there’s been no looking back. Sometimes extra is just what you need.
This runs along the same vein as candles and flowers and hygge in general. Which by the way, originates from colder cultures. How do you think they survived? Do what makes you happy and find little ways to feel better.
3. Enlist the help of an organizer.
Organizing or cleaning may be the last thing on your list when you feel blah or off. Which is why I wrote ‘enlist help’. I’d argue that recruiting a willing friend, and doing the opposite of your feelings, can be pretty invigorating. Especially if you have company to help. It’s next on my list to tackle some more areas of my home. It also helps to feel like you’ve accomplished something before the spring weather hits.
Also, don’t feel like cleaning? Enlist help there, too. If it gets you through the initial funk you’ll be amazed by how much better you feel. Sometimes, I need help getting the house clean. And by sometimes, I mean most of the time. Around here, it’s a team effort with the entire family. We divide it up, and we’re done. It’s incredible how much better I feel when the clutter is cleared and the floors are clean. It’s a mental thing, and a health thing.
4. The at-home spa.
Once upon a time, I was not a bath taker. Then we redid our bathroom in our last house, and I fell in love.
But it’s all about finding what works. If finding time each night to squeeze in a bath is on your list, do it. If you don’t have time or funds to visit the nail place, do your own. Make it a ritual of your own self care, and stick to it. You never know what you’ll find that you adore. It’s the little things that can lift your spirits.
5. Make a gratitude list.
Sometimes when I feel my thoughts start to spiral I find it imperative to keep a gratitude list. Whether it’s mentally, or writing it down, combating things we’re feeling upset about with things we have to be grateful for, are the very best. It’s honestly pretty refreshing to remember that this too shall pass, and the things you have now are the things you once hoped for. {I’m not talking about material stuff here, guys.} It helps to refocus.
Sometimes printing out something and getting organized on paper can help, too. Check out our free planner here.
AGAIN, these are just things I do. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Absolutely positively go see your doctor if you feel like this is something more. There’s no shame in being your best you. Giving yourself the gift of self care is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Do you struggle with winter blues or SAD?
What do you do to combat it in life and in your home? We’d love to hear your tips and ideas.
Have an inspired day!
Debbie says
Oh honey you ought to live in the mountains of West Virginia!!! Your body and mind would go into shock! Altho we have had a very mild winter (thank you Lord) I can barely function during winter. I feel the dread creeping in about the first of October. Six or seven months of dreary weather is extremely hard.
Janet Cole says
Daylight savings time is next weekend! I used to be paralyzed by SAD – and I live in Texas where we barely have any winter at all. My group of friends who have regular happy hours, a Pilates class, and a January getaway to look forward to after Christmas leaves me drained have all been instrumental in helping me survive winter. We went to the UK for Christmas to visit family, and strangely, I didn’t mind the darkness (it starts getting dark after lunch!). The twinkle lights lit up and a festive atmosphere set in when the sun went down. I’m trying to translate that to our version of winter darkness. Hang in there – it’s almost Spring!
ashley @ the handmade home says
This is great advice! And yes! Almost spring! Hang in there as well, friend