Does winter have you feeling down? Here are 11 ways to beat the winter blues.
I know I am in the minority when I say this but I LOVE WINTER! I love everything about it, the snow, the cold and the slower pace of winter months. If you are not like me and you hate winter it’s is your lucky day. Today I am going to share a few things to help you not only survive winter but thrive! Who knows you may even come to like it. Here are 11 ways to beat the winter blues.
11 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
1. Change Your Attitude
If you are a person that hates winter and you get up every day grumbling about how much you hate the cold, then you are in for a l-o-n-g, cold, winter. Flip the script and change your attitude.
Look for the good in every winter day. Use the time to start planning your garden, order some seeds, plan your summer vacation, write your bucket list. Give yourself something to look forward too and maybe winter won’t seem so bad.
Remember, each season has something special to offer, make a list of all of the things you can only do in the winter and enjoy those things.
2. Learn Something New
Winter is the perfect time to brush up your skills or learn something new. You could learn to paint, take an online cooking class, you could take a free class from Edx or Coursera, learn a language, or calligraphy. The possibilities are endless.
You could also get a subscription to MasterClass, my husband and I signed up for Masterclass during the first lockdown and have used it ever since. Some of my favorite instructors have been Misty Copeland, Kelly Whistler, Alice Waters and Sarah Blakley to name just a few.
We also have a subscription to YesChef and have learned many new cooking techniques over the last year. This year I gifted myself Create Academy, and I am learning interior design Rita Konig, and Bunny Williams as well as gardening and nutrition.
3. Puzzles and Games
Set up a puzzle on your dining room table, take some time with you family to put it together or simply leave it there and add a few pieces whenever you walk by.
Games are another fun family activity, pull out your favorite games, Dominos, checkers, Clue, Monopoly and play a friendly game with your kids on a snow day or in the evening.
Playing games or working on a puzzle gets you off the mindless scrolling on social media and spending quality time with the family.
4. Book List
If you are like me you have a stack of books piled next to your bed, on the table and on your Kindle just waiting to be read.
The winter days can be long so why not enjoy the time reading? Think of it as beach reading but in the comfort of your own home without the hassle of travel or packing and no sand.
You can find all of the books I read and talk about on the blog, typically in my Friday Favorites post in My Bookshop on Amazon.
5. Practice Hygge.
Hygge for those that are unfamiliar, pronounced hoo-gah, it is basically the Danish concept of nesting. The word roughly translates to cosiness and conviviality, but it encompasses your entire attitude about life. Create a cocoon like retreat in your house, bring out your cozy throws, light candles on dark days and nights, make your house a haven from the cold.
Some say it is hygge that makes the people of Denmark the happiest on earth. I wrote a post about it way back in 2016 when the concept was becoming popular in the states, you can read that post here.
6. Play Outside
Winter is here for a few months so why not bundle up in your comfy clothes and go outside? Enjoy some fresh air and vitamin D.
Take up a winter sport? You could learn to ski, or snowshoe which is my all time favorite winter activity, go sledding, make snow angels, catch snowflakes on your tongue, maybe even pretend for just a moment to be a kid again.
7. Relax and Rejuvenate Your Spirit
We have just finished up the busy holiday season so you deserve to rest. Take some time to reflect on the last year, maybe even answer my 25 reflection questions, think about what you want to accomplish this year and what you want to let go of from last year.
Do a 30 day self-care challenge. Relax and let go. Sit with a pile of magazines, read a book, take the time to savor a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or a hot toddy. Watch movies with your kids, have an at home spa day or simply do nothing.
8. Clear the clutter and Organize
Most people “spring clean” in the Spring but why not do a deep clean of your house in the winter? Winter is the perfect time to declutter and detox your space, especially since you probably moved all sorts of things in order to put up your Christmas decorations.
Take your time and go room by room, closet by closet, and get rid of the clothes, decorations, books, cds, towels, kitchen items and whatever else no longer works in your space or for you.
If you want sell your treasures on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, and Etsy, Or give your unused items to your favorite charity. At the end you will have a clean, decluttered and organized space to enjoy the rest of the year.
9. Go to bed early
Once the cold weather sets I think most of us feel like hibernating. Go to bed early and catch up on the sleep you lost over the holidays. Or sleep in if you want. Whichever you choose, get the rest that your body needs to survive the cold winter months.
I recently read an article, Humans ‘may need more sleep in winter’, study finds that says just that.
10. Comfort Food
Come January many are swearing off sugar, alcohol, and all things they deem “bad.” But at the end of the day you still have to eat so why not make something warm, healthy and comforting? Get in the kitchen and make some warm soups, stews and chili. Maybe some homemade oatmeal, and bread for breakfast.
During the winter months our bodies need food to stave off the cold. Not to mention being in the kitchen cooking, baking and creating scrumptious dishes makes us feel good and our families enjoy it too.
11. Reach Out
If you do not like winter chances are someone else that you know doesn’t like it either. Reach out and check on them, see how they are feeling and dealing with the winter blues. Invite them for coffee or just to chat, let them know that they are not alone.
On that note, I am not a doctor, there is a difference between the “winter blues”, SAD and depression. If you are feeling depressed please speak to your doctor, there is help for Seasonal affective disorder like light therapy and talk therapy and for depression.
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THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Are you a fan of winter?
What do you enjoy about it? What do you dislike about it?
How do you survive the winter blues?
Thank you so much for stopping by today friends, I appreciate you spending part of your day here. I hope that you enjoyed 11 ways to beat the winter blues.
Don’t forget you can also find Pinecones and Acorns on most social media sites, FacebookTwitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Or you can subscribe to the blog and get the posts in your mailbox.
Great ideas! Thank you for this.
Thank you Mary! Have a fabulous day!
Living in Fl I miss winter!
Laurel, I lived in Florida for many years and I missed winter too. Now that we are further up the coast the weather is better, 4 seasons but not much snow.
I love winter because there is no yard to mow and no holiday to get ready for.
Paula, you are so right! And it is not too hot. Have a wonderful week. I hope your treatment is going well. Prayers.
I agree. Winter is a cozy season, and I love anything related to cozy or hygge! Great photos and quotes!
Brenda
Brenda, I think that you and I are very similar in that respect, introverts who love a cosy life and home. They only difference is that you are a Master Gardner and I do not have a green thumb at all. Check out my friends blog, Cocoon Raw, Melba lives in the PNW and is an amazing Gardner.
So many great ides for someone like me that struggles with winter.
Melba, have you tried light therapy? I know of many who struggle with this time of the year and many have tried getting extra light. Loved your new video, you are so very talented.
Good list, and links. Visiting your blog is like a mini vacation to enjoy the winter. 🙂
Thank you May!
YAY, a girl after my heart. I LOVE the cold months.
It’s cozy, baking, fires, candles, games, needing list more?
Great post!
There is nothing better than daylight savings and cooler temperatures. Thank you for the kind comments!
Some really great ideas! I love snow, sweaters, all things cozy about winter. Stay cozy!!
Thank you Kim! I hope you have a great day!
Personally I love the winter.
William, I do too! Have a great week. I hope that you are having a great New Year so far.
I am also a HUGE fan of winter. I love the cold weather and the snow. I find it so enjoyable to bundle up, drink hot chocolate and play board games!
Stacey,
I LOVE WINTER too. It is my favorite season. Have a great day and get out there and enjoy the beauty of a winter day.
This is full of great ideas Elizabeth! Beautiful photos and perfect winter mood!
Thank you Dee! I hope that you are having a wonderful week!
What a great post, full of good ideas! Thank you for sharing! Pinned!
Thank you Lynne! Have a great day.
These are all great tips. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
I love winter! Quite the opposite from when I was younger.
Growing up on the other side of the world, seasons were also very different from what I know now.
I love winter, it is such a beautiful season. I would love to know more about when you grew up!
I heard Hygge from a youtube video of a couple who used to live in Scandinavia. I don’t hate winter, but I do hate the really cold and damp weather.
Rosemary, I hope that you have some cooler winter days that are sunny and maybe a sprinkling of snow.
These are some really good ideas! I also love to get cozy and read a book in the winter.
I love winter too, for all the same reasons – hygge moments, cozy fires, hot drinks and new things to learn! There is always something to look forward to in every season. Great post – pinned!
Jayne, you are exactly right, there is something to look forward to in every season. Have a wonderful weekend.
Cold mornings are something I enjoy with hot coffee, soft lap blanket iwth our dog snuggling nextt to me and the quiet.
Linda, that sounds perfect. Have a wonderful weekend.
Great tips Eliz!
Thank you Cindy! Have a wonderful time in Oregon.
What a great post! Even though we live in Southern California and do not face any snow, I still find this time of the year hard after the holidays. Kids are gone, the house is quiet, and a lot of cleanup after the holidays. Thank you for the great suggestions.
Thank you Wendy! Happy to see you back! Hope that you are feeling better.
I always loved Winter in NJ & NY where we had sunnier days and I would ski and ice skate when younger, but now we’re out here in MI where the days are always cloudy for about 5-6 mos. However, the snow does brighten the landscape as it clings spectacularly to every shrub, fence, tree limb and gazebo bird feeder. I always say we live in a Winter Wonderland. There’s something so refreshing for the spirit to be outside in a snuggly hooded coat, chunky crocheted hat, scarf and matching mittens! Then coming inside with that cool, pink glow on my cheeks, sitting by the cozy fire with a big mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and dash of nutmeg is delightful. So many things to do inside, as you described. I have always loved painting in my studio this time of year, planning revisions to my gardens, reorganizing, pulling out familiar old books & magazines, and hubby likes to make stew while I bake…diets are not for deep Winter. Mostly, however, we enjoy chatting by the fire and watching the birds, deer and other beautiful wildlife. Overall, I relish this cozy, quiet season.
Jeanne, I was born in Michigan and lived 2 years in Alaska, then spent most of my life in Wisconsin. I can relate to the gray winter days and the sun shinning bright on the snow. One of my favorite things to do is shovel snow on a cold winter night with the stars shining bright. The world is still and silent and it is almost as if you can hear the snow falling on the ground.
To me winter is a time to hibernate, to rest, recharge and regroup. I like to stay at home read, organize, bake cook and drink lots of hot chocolate, all of these things feed my spirit.
Enjoy your time in your studio and planning your garden and THANK you for your thoughtful comment.
Take care and have a wonderful weekend.
Love winter and prefer it way more than high temperatures. I can bundle up and get cozy but with temps of 30C+ I am out of sorts, but deal with it as it comes.
Thanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 293. See you again next week!
Esme, I agree with you. I love the cooler temperatures. I am not a fan in the summer when we have weeks of high 90s’, it is hard to cool off and to sleep.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I too love winter…maybe not in march anymore, but in January…yes! Time for cleaning, organizing, and lots of hygge! Was it 2016 when we started hearing about hygge? That seems so long ago!
xx
Annie, I can imagine that the cold and snow would get old in March. Yes! 2016 was the higgle craze.
Visiting to let you know that this post was one of my featured choices from Senior Salon Pit Stop! It was a very timely post because I just am not a Winter gal and suffer from seasonal depression! Hope you stop in and grab the “I Was Featured” graphic and share it with your readers! Happy Monday!
Jennifer
https://jugglingmidlife.com/senior-salon-pit-stop-294-welcome-to-the-party/
Jennifer, thank you! I hope that you not only survive but thrive this winter!
Elizabeth – waving my arms over here! I love winter. So much so, that we moved from Southern California to NE Indiana in 2021, JUST so I could have my winters. Okay. I’m exaggerating, but not by much. (There were A LOT of reasons, but living in 4-seasons was a big one.) You are right – we are a true minority, but I get so tired of ‘winter bashing’. I do not love summer, but neither do I criticize it. And your advice to list the things you DO like about a season you don’t love is so spot on. At night, we light the fire, the candles and fairy lights spring to life, and the cat settles into his spot on the ottoman. It’s pure heaven, and there is no where else I would rather be. Shelley over at Calypso in the Country had this post linked in her ‘winter’ post; that is how I came over. I will spend a little time exploring more of your blog! Thank you!
Kristine, welcome to Pinecones & Acorns! It is always nice to meet a winter loving friend and a fellow Mid-westerner. I was born in Michigan and loved most of my adult life in Wisconsin. I love winter for all of the reasons that you mentioned and so many more. Winter certainly can be a pain and it does get a little ugly with the gray slushy snow but at the end of the day you always have your comfortable home to return to.
Enjoy every minute of your cozy winter cocoon, with your fairy lights and sweet cat.