What are the winter blues?

The winter blues, which is also known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is when you start to feel more fatigued, withdrawn, and depressed as the seasons change from summer to fall to winter. The winter blues usually end around spring. This is an actual disorder, so if you think you have this, see a doctor or professional, this is not medical advice or diagnosis. I do know that a lot of people as a whole feel some form of this as the seasons change.

Seasonal depression is no joke, one day it will be summer and everything is wam, happy, and dandy. Next thing you know it’s snowy and gets dark at 4:30pm. In the winter there tends to be a lack of vitamin D because it is too cold to hang outside or is snowy outside, your entire wardrobe changes, etc. There are different things you can do to help ease the winter blues and make the most out of winter.

Dress up every now and again

A lot of the time when the temperature starts to drop all that I wear is leggings and hoodies the WHOLE winter. I tend to feel less motivated to dress cute or even to have a cute winter wardrobe. If this sounds a lot like you too, try looking up YouTube videos, or search up fashion influencers on TikTok and Instagram to get some inspo for winter clothing. You know what they say, “look good, feel good”. That is not always the case, but if you look good you will at least feel a little bit better. So just try and mix it up and maybe try some winter pieces that are out of your comfort zone like trench coats or fun boots.

Nourish your body

A year or two ago, every winter I would say it was my hibernation time like a bear and I would eat very unhealthy and all the yummy winter goodies in sight because I would wear baggy clothes so no one could see my extra pudge. Nothing wrong with that either, but my point is that I would disregard my health because I thought it was a free for all during the winter months and then tried to get fit and healthy for summer when spring came around. No wonder I felt like shit. By nourishing your body with whole, non processed foods 80% of the time you will feel like an entirely different person. You obviously still eat your favorite holiday treats, but when eating clean the other percent of the time you will have more energy for activities, will feel better, and heck you will start your journey of good health before summer.

Less screen time

When you are inside for most of the time during these months it is beyond easy to sit on your phone and get sucked in for hours. This will only drain you more and make you feel more like a sack of poopy potatoes. So, if you’re stuck in your house during a snowstorm or you just don’t wanna hang outside, try new activities. If you wanna go online learn a new skill or hobby from youtube. Read a book. I am not a big book reader, but if you find a book that really interests you, you’ll get sucked in. Try personal improvement books. Take a shower or clean your space. Nothing feels better than feeling fresh and having a clean space around you. Watch your favorite show. Sometimes you just need to slow down and if nothing sounds interesting to you just take a chill pill. Find a good movie or show and just chillax. Color, paint, or draw! Suck at art? Me too, it is still fun to try and get creative. Really good at art? That’s awesome, keep doing you! There are so many little things to do besides being on your phone, try something new and get creative!

Prioritize what you love

Doing what you love is what fuels your fire and keeps you going. If you are having a hard day and nothing seems to be helping you, do your favorite activity. When you are not feeling yourself the most important thing to do is to prioritize you and what you enjoy doing.

Point blank period

Season change is hard, but it does get better. If winter is not your favorite, try things that will make it better for you, you don’t want to spend 6 months or so sucked into your phone or feeling completely drained. Maybe even look into therapy if you really can’t get out of that funk. There is nothing wrong with feeling down and unmotivated, do what works best for you to get back to feeling yourself. Take care!