It’s not unusual to feel more lethargic and unmotivated during the dark winter days.
Whether it’s seasonal affective disorder that makes this time of year tough, or the dark nights leave you feeling melancholy or tired, there are many practical ways to make the season easier to handle – and even enjoyable.
Here are seven ways to cope with poor weather and a lack of light and to improve your mood.
1. Maintain physical activity – indoors if you need to!
It’s common knowledge that being active is good for both your physical and mental health. However, in the cold and wet of winter, it’s easy to become demotivated. Who wants to go for a run in the ice and rain?
Instead of retreating from exercise during the winter months, there are two ways you can change your habits and stay active:
- Take up a winter hobby or get involved with an activity that embraces the cold. Go ice skating, dry slope skiing, or even play ice hockey.
- Find an indoor class close to you. A Zumba session, yoga, or a spin class will boost your mood – and you can do them all in the warmth of a gym.
Don’t let bad weather stop you from getting the exercise you need. This brings us to…
2. Practise the Nordic concept of “friluftsliv”
Across the Nordic countries, the concept of “friluftsliv”, which translates roughly to “open-air living”, is widely popular. It essentially says that getting outside and embracing the outdoors is a crucial part of life all year around.
Rather than using drab weather as an excuse to stay indoors, see it as an opportunity to explore. As the saying goes: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing.”
As we discovered during lockdown, stepping outside of your front door is good for you. So, wrap up warm and head out. As well as the physical activity it provides, a daily walk in nature can also help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
3. Find natural light
One way you can keep the winter blues at bay is by exposing yourself to natural light.
Going for a regular walk (as above) is a good way and some experts even suggest taking short five-minute breaks outside at least three times a day.
If you can’t get out of the house, then rearranging your working environment could also give you a boost. If you can, find a desk, chair, or table near to a window so you benefit from natural sunlight even when you’re inside.
4. Lean into the darker evenings
While it’s easy to think negatively about winter – it’s cold, wet, and dark – you could reframe the season into something much more positive.
We can’t change the weather, but we can change how we view the season. Think about what makes winter so special – staying warm by the fire and eating hot, comforting meals. Considering how you can make the most of the season can improve your feelings towards it – so it’s time to lean into winter!
And, as we’re talking about comforting meals…
5. Reach for the pudding
In their 2021 seasonal advertising campaign, Waitrose argued that the best thing about Christmas is the food.
Of course they would – they’re a supermarket! – but there’s nothing better than settling in on a cold, dark evening with an indulgent piece of cake or warm pudding.
Whether you reach for a slice of Christmas cake, or a bowl of sticky toffee pudding and custard, a dessert can feel like a hug in a bowl and make even the most miserable day a little more indulgent.
Having something to look forward to on a winter’s day can also help you to keep going – so keep your fridge and cupboards stocked with treats!
6. Use your support system
If you’re lonely or isolated, it can be even tougher to get through the winter months. So – just like we saw in lockdown – it’s vital to maintain a support system of friends, colleagues, and family around you.
Human contact is vitally important for your mental health – especially if you work from home – and so make sure you try to be as social as you can.
When you are finding it hard to deal with the winter blues, try and spend time with supportive people, as this can really boost your mood. Meet a friend for an outdoor walk, organise a Zoom catch-up, or meet a colleague for a coffee date.
7. Maintain a good sleep pattern
When it gets dark in the afternoon, and it’s dark when you wake up, it’s perhaps only natural that you want to stay in bed for a little longer.
Maintaining a good sleep pattern is good for your physical and mental health at any time of year but can be particularly beneficial in the winter months.
- Aim for seven or eight hours sleep each night
- Try to keep your bedtime and waking time consistent
- Try and get some natural light as soon as you wake up
- Don’t use electronic devices in the bedroom – read a book before bed instead.
By maintaining good sleep hygiene, your sleeping patterns will normalise, and you’ll have more energy.
