Winter can be a hard time. There’s less daylight hours and the cold will make hermits out of the best of us. Seasonal depression is real folks and it’s important to take good care of yourself even when (especially when), you least feel like it.

We’ve gathered a few tips for winter self-care to help keep you out of the cold-weather funk. Choose a few to do or come up with your own and make a point to stick with it. Remember, you deserve it!

1.     Set a seasonal routine to better prepare for what’s coming. You know your body. You know what happens to you when the days get shorter and colder. It’s not your imagination. Studies have proven that seasonal changes in sunlight, temperature and weather do affect our physical and psychological well-being (4). Create a seasonal routine you can rely on to keep you healthy and happy during the funk-y months.

2.     Increase your simple exercise level. Park a little farther from the building. Bundle up and go for a brisk walk around the block. Buy some cramp-ons (shoe chains) if you’re nervous about slick walks. Do morning yoga. We all know exercise releases endorphins and we can for sure use more of those in the winter.

3.     Do little things to increase your sun exposure. Studies show that people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) struggle regulating serotonin (the hormone that regulates mood) and sunlight is said to help increase serotonin. Bundle up and go outside for an afternoon coffee. It’s cold, I know, but just an added 15 minutes a day of sun exposure can do wonders for your energy levels and increase happiness, plus a little caffeine boost can help you get over the afternoon slump. Just try to keep it before 4pm if you have trouble falling asleep. There are other things such as light therapy lamps or light therapy facials (something we offer here at Ottalaus Salon) that can help as well.

4.     Take time to pamper yourself. Go get a massage, a facial, a mani/pedi, or all three. Take a hot bubble bath surrounded by scented candles while indulging in a glass of wine and some chocolate.

5.     Set goals. Sometimes having something to work on keeps us motivated and moving. Finish that room make-over. Choose 4 new books you’ll finish by spring. Do an exercise challenge with friends through your favorite app.

6.     Try something new. Join a hot yoga class or take up boxing. Start that online art class you’ve been researching or take a business class at your local college.

7.     Take a break from social media. If you’re struggling to stay happy, avoid social media for a time. Set a goal to take a week off and when you’re tempted to scroll mindlessly pick up a book instead, or go for a walk, or a drive, make a gratitude list, or write in your journal. Do something that requires actual thought and is less likely to feed your depressive state. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a legitimate disorder caused by social media and is bound to be worse in the winter when funds are tighter, and motivation is limited. Don’t torture yourself. Take a breather. You’ll be glad you did.

8.     Pursue a goal or a dream you’ve been saying you don’t have the time for. Cold weather slows us down, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Have you always wanted to write a novel? Or create an online boutique? Now’s the time to break out the vision board and start researching. You’re sitting around anyway, why not do something productive that gets you excited?

9.     Make to-do lists. Sometimes the satisfaction of ticking things off a list can keep us moving and feeling accomplished. Set a daily routine and then make a list for your tasks each day. Use multi-colored pens. Get a new planner or fun notebook. It’s surprising how much these little things can make the mundane not just bearable but pat-on-the-back worthy.

10. Call a friend. Don’t just send a text. Call and have a nice long visit. Laugh, cry, and enjoy the gift of friendship for what it was meant to be.

Reference articles:

1.  https://www.outreachhealth.com/2022/02/self-care-tips-in-the-winter-months/

2. https://balancethroughsimplicity.com/30-self-care-ideas-for-winter/

3. https://www.self.com/story/winter-self-care-tips

4. https://www.outreachhealth.com/2022/02/self-care-tips-in-the-winter-months/