10 ways to beat the winter blues and more on weekend meanderings.
Good morning friends, how are you? I am excited to be back with Kim and Juliet for the first weekend meanderings post of 2023!
If you are new, this is our weekly series of things that caught our eye, piqued our interest. Adventures, style, life and so much more from the East and West coast.
While the weather in my neck of the woods has been unseasonably warm, Kim and Juliet might need a boat to navigate the streets after the rain and winds. It has been a crazy week in more ways than one and I for one am ready to lick back and relax.
We are headed out this morning to run a few errands, then lunch with my niece and after that I will be snuggled with my pups by the fire getting cosy. What are your plans for the weekend?
Let’s Meander
Although the weather has been all over the place this winter, one day it’s freezing and the next we are in shorts and a t-shirt, it is still winter. Winter doesn’t officially end until March 20th so settle in and enjoy the next couple of month.
I will admit that I LOVE winter. Being a homebody, winter to me is the perfect excuse to stay in and at home doing all of the things I love.
If you are a person that hates winter and you suffer from the winter blues I have a few ideas to help you make it to Spring.
10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
1.Take a break from the news
Cold weather and lots of time inside could lead to increased  screen time. Give yourself a break and limit your exposure to the 24 hour new cycle.
Good news is hard to find these days and if you allow yourself to spend hours watching bad or depressing news you may feel an increase in the winter blues. Set a timer or schedule a set amount of time to allow you to keep up with the news but don’t let yourself get sucked into hours in front of the screen.
2. Get outsideÂ
Wether you suffer from SAD(seasonal affliction disorder) or not, being outside in the sunlight is important for us all. Sunlight raises our vitamin D and melatonin, it balances our serotonin and helps us to feel better.
If it’s too cold, sit by a window that has a lot of sun exposure. And if you live in an area that is gray and dark for most of the winter you might need to speak to your doctor about light therapy.
3. Exercise
Staying inside makes us lethargic and sometimes derails our fitness program. During the winter take on a program that is easy to do, that you enjoy. If you don’t like to go out in the cold find an online workout, walk on your treadmill or Peloton of lift weights.
4. Hot Chocolate
Not only is hot chocolate a mood booster it is good for you too! It contains more antioxidants than wine or tea and has flavonoids which can increase your brain health. Sounds like a win win to me.
5. Connect with Friends & Family
Call your family and friends talk about your day, and what you are up too or if you are feeling sad and depressed because of the weather talk about that as well.
Make dates to get out of the house, go for walks, coffee, dinner, movies or have friends and family over. Socialization and human contact is very important for our well being and for our mental health.
6. Mood Music
Music is healing and uplighting. Create a mood lifting playlist of all of the songs that make you happy and bring a spring to your step. This is an easy and economical way to change your mood and to life your sagging spirits.
7. Read Books
Like streaming movies reading a book offers not only entertainment but a form of escape from life and the daily stress that comes along with it.
The benefit of reading is that it promotes cognitive function as well. Why not take a trip to the library or sign up online and download a bunch of books onto your Kindle. You can not only entertain yourself but learn something this winter as well.
8. Sit by the Fire
Sitting by the fire not only keeps you warm but boosts your mood, a win win in my book.
9. Keep Busy
Fill your schedule with things to keep you busy, learn a new skill, take up a hobby, volunteer, clean and organize your house.
10. Get enough sleep
Sleep is crucial for our health and 7-9 hours is optimal. Not getting enough sleeps causes stress, illness and makes us emotional.
Winter to me is the perfect time to rest, rejuvenate and relax. Take the time to pamper yourself and enjoy the things you like to do inside. Plan your garden, summer adventures, and warm weather activities. Come spring you will be rested and ready to enjoy time your time outside in the sun!
P.S. In less than 30 days it will be light until 7:00 pm. You’ve got this friends!
Pin Me for Later!
Cosy Outfit
pants//t-shirt//sweater//slippers//candle//book
In Other News
Healthy Recipes for 2023 from Half Baked Harvest
52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge.
The 9 Most Eye-Opening Tips We Learned About Coffee This Year
3 Ingredient Moon Milk for a Better Night Sleep
Transform Your Look With a Scarf
Interesting thoughts on the Harry & William Scuffle
Breaking a few style rules can bring a spark of life to an outfit
What’s the Most Helpful Thing a Therapist Has Told You
If you are in the midst of planning your garden for spring planting you might find this article on geraniums insightful.Â
In Case You Missed It
25 Reflection Questions For The New Year, this is the #1 post on my blog.
 10 Tips for Getting and Staying Healthier This Year.  All 10 tips are easy and doable to create a life time of new health habits.
Narnia fans you will love this book, I wrote about it and more this week on Monday Musings.Â
On Friday Favorites I shared the details of this outfit, some book suggestions from friends, comforting recipes and lots more. You can find all of the details here.Â
THAT’S IT
I hope that you enjoyed meandering today and that when you leave here you pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here
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MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
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I don’t know where you live but sunset on Feb 7, 2023 will be at 5:35pm in Northern CA. It’s dark here and we have not seen sun for weeks. Rain rain rain. Nice suggestions but I think the only thing that will work is a trip to Mexico or Hawaii!!
Leslie, be safe in the storms!
Happy New Year, Elizabeth! It’s good to be back. Love all the your ideas for battling the winter blues … although I’m in my element this time of year staying cozy at home. You’re right, Kim and I may need boats. We had a reprieve yesterday and expecting the storm to pick back up today. We’re happy for the rain but my goodness … it’s feast or famine. Have a fun lunch, then keep warm and cozy and drink extra cocoa! xo
Juliet, so nice to have you and Kim back. I am in my element too. I love to be at home and regroup from the year. Stay safe and stay away from the water. xo
Elizabeth, So many good tips for the new year. I do love the cozy time by the fire and reading, having tea, soups and all that. I am though looking forward to it being light earlier! We are having the craziest winter and I worked all day at the library yesterday, no internet and sketchy power. Some have had it worse and we have two more storms coming.
Glad to be back doing this and will sit down with all your links later today with my tea! That book looks wonderful.
Enjoy your lunch out and Happy New Year!
x Kim
Kim,
Have a wonderful week! So happy to have you back. I cannot believe that you are having this crazy weather! Stay safe!
I get my news exclusively from newspapers. It affords a much needed objective distance that you can’t get from television news.
I only read newspapers for news. I am shocked how many people get their information from social media.
I love these ideas. I’ve been sitting by our “fire” a lot lately. It’s an LED fireplace built into our entertainment center but I find it still makes me feel happy and cozy.