How to Brighten Your Winter
By Sara Butler
Winter is a time of a year not many people look forward to. The days are shorter, it’s cold, and it can leave you feeling less than energetic. The darkness of winter can be difficult for a lot of people to handle, but there are strategies you can employ to make your season a little brighter. Here are a few ideas you can use to make this season a little easier to handle!
Have Fun
Once January arrives it can be difficult to get through the next few months because there’s really nothing going on to occupy you. And truly, January and February can be a little gray. A great way to combat this is to find ways to celebrate once the regular holiday season has come to an end. Have regular game nights with friends or have dinners regularly at a friend’s house. That will give you something to look forward to and keep your spirits up even in the dead of winter.
Go to the Light
One problem with the winter is the lack of light. In some people, it can have an impact on the chemical balance in their brains leading to seasonal affective disorder (aptly called SAD). Combat this tendency to feel down from lack of light by bringing more light into your life. Leave that strand of lights up in your living room or light some candles around the house (safely, of course). Take a hot bath surrounded by candlelight, and if you have a fireplace then put it to good use by lighting it up. Also, make sure you get out in the sunshine every day for at least a few minutes in order to help your body create Vitamin D – it’ll help you to feel better!
Make a Plan
So, you’ve got some time on your hands in the winter. Put that spare time to good use by making plans for what you’re going to do once spring hits. Plan out your garden for the summer, and buy the seeds you want to use online. Also, think about creating that compost bin you’ve always wanted or think about what other changes you’d like to make to your landscaping once the warmer weather hits. Planning ahead is a great way to keep your mind occupied and get you through the winter.
These are just a few suggestions to help the winter seem less bleak. The key is to stay occupied and positive – the sun will shine again!