How to Counter the Winter Blues

How to Counter the Winter Blues
Author: Ams

With the days having been shorter and darker earlier, it may have been mentally draining, making us feel tired and possibly wanting to sleep early (guilty as charged – that’s me, I do go to bed early). The darkness can sometimes make us feel like we are close to bedtime and make us feel sleepy and tired. How can we have productive evenings after coming home from work, or school, so that we have a balance of rest and some productivity? Here are a few tips that can help you balance that energy to centre yourself.

Epsom Salt Bath/Book: Getting into a warm tub filled with beautiful scents can help you feel relaxed and release the tension and toxins from your body. It’s a great way to de-stress and even practice some mindfulness. Feel the stillness of the water, or the waves as you move your hands and arms around. Reading a book while in the tub is a nice way to let your mind drift into a novel or challenge your brain to think with a non-fiction book. ​

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SAD lamp: These lamps, I have heard, are helpful to use when feeling the blues, also called the Seasonal Affective Disorder. From what I know, you can purchase the lamps from anywhere; one popular platform is Amazon. Usually the recommendation is to spend about 10 or more minutes under the SAD lamp, which helps to stabilize the mood. It is helpful to some, but not everyone.

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Exercise: Exercising strikes a great balance from resting mode, to an active mode to allow your body to release endorphins that make you feel happy. Some people go to the gym, others exercise at home,  some even take on winter sports like skating and skiing. There are some apps like FitOn for example, that have a collection of various exercises that one can partake in, in the comfort of their home. You can even get your roommate or family members involved in exercising with you.

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Hobbies: Everyone likes to enjoy a bit of free time to do things they enjoy. Sometimes winter is a great time to take up new projects, learn a new skill or discover a hidden talent. Baking is a popular hobby that people enjoy to de-stress as they work with their hands and creativity. It keeps the mind busy. Others take on other arts/crafts activities to busy their hands and minds such as knitting, drawing, sculpting. Brain teaser activities like sudoku and crossword puzzles are a great way to tease the mind.

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Bedtime Routine: According to the book called Atomic Habits, habit stacking and creating a bedtime routine is a great way to establish positive habits that are productive, and bite-sized. Having a night skin care routine after brushing your teeth can allow you to feel refreshed, and proactive in taking care of your skin. Pairing night routines with a little prayer, gratitude journal, or a book to read before bed is a great way to quiet the mind. It’s important to keep away from screen time when trying to sleep, as it can cause sleep disturbances. ​

The list above is not a comprehensive list of things you can do when feeling the blues during winter, or when trying to figure out how to schedule your evenings so that you feel rested and productive. I did not mention medication; however that is something you can discuss with your doctor.

With Warmest Regards,

Ams