Got the Winter Blues? 5 Ways to Survive and Thrive!

The winter blues are no joke! I recently spent a year living in beautiful Burlington, Vermont. The first time that I visited Burlington was in July 2012. It was heaven on earth – the sunsets, lake, fresh air, sunshine, and hiking trails made it the perfect spot to relish every moment of summer. Months passed and the number of daylight hours became shorter.

I remember leaving the house when it was dark and coming home in the dark. This is common during the winter, but there was a catch that totally caught me off guard! Even during the day in this vibrant town, it was often overcast. There were days when the only time that the sun would make an appearance was a few minutes before sunset. I never realized how much I valued the sun until it wasn’t fully present. I experienced a case of the winter blues!

It’s natural to get a case of the winter blues especially if you live in a city that lacks sunlight in the winter. If you’re feeling moody, depressed, and trapped in a winter that feels like it will never end, check out these tips to not only survive the winter, but thrive! Who knows, you may even grow to like the season!

1. Focus on what you like about the season – If you love cooking soups and casseroles, dust off your Crock-Pot and make a warm, comforting meal. If you’re having a really bad day or in need of ultimate comfort food, homemade macaroni and cheese does wonders for the soul!

2. Participate in a winter activity – This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can literally make a huge difference in your perspective. Whether it’s skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, or sledding, choose a winter activity that will bring joy to your life.

3. Take mini vacations – If you don’t remember anything from this blog post except for this tip, engrain this in your mind as if your life depends on it. Whether you take a weekend trip or book a few days to a warm destination, mini vacations serve as your life vest to get you through the winter. They are something to look forward to when you feel like you just can’t live another day in the bitter cold.

4. Choose to find the glimmer of happiness – If you find yourself feeling less motivated, tired, and withdrawn from social activities, you’re not alone. It’s common to experience the winter blues especially during a long, cold winter. As someone who believes that a glimmer of happiness always exists, I encourage you to find your glimmer.

5. Make plans to socialize – When it’s cold, dark, and damp outside, cuddling up in your cozy house feels like you won the lottery. Even if you don’t feel like leaving the house, resist the urge to stay home. Getting out, socializing, and making meaningful connections will add spice to your winter and serves as a good reminder that you’re all in this together.

Now it’s your turn to share! How are you surviving and thriving this winter?

Lindsay is a career lifestyle coach helping 20s and 30s women to ditch the “shoulds” and design their ultimate Thirtylicious (www.thirtylicious.com) life. She offers focus and confidence for women to create a career lifestyle that aligns with their priorities, dreams, and desires. Besides being passionate about coaching, Lindsay loves blogging, experimenting with green smoothie recipes, practicing yoga, exploring hiking trails, and purple nail polish.

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Comments

Beth Graves says

February 6, 2014 at 5:40 pm

I have found that if me and my husband takes just a weekend get-a-way even if weather is same there seems to help me. I guess it is just the change of scenery and shopping at beauty stores I don’t have in my area is a big plus.

Beth
http://www.bethandbeauty.com

Theresa Holland Heinkel says

March 8, 2017 at 9:50 pm

I use to have the winter blues so badly here in Minnesota. That I use to go to the tanning bed just to feel the warmth and fake smile It wasn’t healthy but we have some long winters here. Now I’m super pleased to say I haven’t had the winter yucks in almost 3 years now… oh and I gave up tanning beds. I finally found something that works and it’s so crazy good too! ?

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