How To: Shake off that Winter Blues
How are you tonight and how is twenty eighteen treating you so far?
I have to admit that I´m kind of having a bad patch atm...its the infamous winter blues that got me slightly...BUT that´s no reason at all to be in a bad mood or to hate winter time from now on and for ever ;)
I think I never actually talked about it in detail and just kind of scratched the surface of the whole mental health issue, but I´ve actually been diagnosed with anxiety and depression over a year ago now and to be honest I don´t like to talk about it too much. Not necessarily because I am afraid or ashamed or anything because there definitely is nothing to be afraid of and so totally nothing to be ashamed of but I have the feeling that everybody is talking about it and also that I would just be the one who just also has the same issues...don´t know if that makes sense tho...no idea...
ya well not the point at all today ;) hahaha
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I´ve got asked a lot about a thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder which is basically a state or a form of feeling depressed triggered by the season...meaning that state of my mind most of us are in one time or an other through out winter.
Dreary weather, cold days and nights and the almost constant lack of sunshine in many countries affect the mood a lot, for some more that for others and that´s kind of a very simple description of seasonal affective disorder...of cause there is a lot more to it but that´s not what this should be about...at least not only ;) plus I am lucky enough to be spared by that so I do not have any experieces with S.A.D.in particular!
Okay so first of all I also made a little video over on my youtube channel about it so for all the details how about coming over and say hi ;) would be awesome!!!
So here are my 10 tips on how to shake off the Winter Blues:
1 - Embrace the Winter Months
Make winter your favourite time of the year!
There are so many amazing things you can only do in winter or those which are so much more fun throughout the colder months!
Make winter your favourite time of the year!
There are so many amazing things you can only do in winter or those which are so much more fun throughout the colder months!
2 - Go outside
Show those cold temperatures your horns and get some fresh air...maybe not the first thing you´d do but it actually helps a lot!
I know it myself the cold weather really gets me down and staying motivated can be a hard thing to do but just do it and go out even if its just for 10 minutes ^^ and just staying in all the time...as tempting as it might be...I know that so well...but you know how much fun it can be to go out ^^
Show those cold temperatures your horns and get some fresh air...maybe not the first thing you´d do but it actually helps a lot!
I know it myself the cold weather really gets me down and staying motivated can be a hard thing to do but just do it and go out even if its just for 10 minutes ^^ and just staying in all the time...as tempting as it might be...I know that so well...but you know how much fun it can be to go out ^^
3 - Eat healthy and get all the comfort Food
Might sound a bit confusing but its actually about a good balance. The healthy stuff will give you all the goodness and the comfy food...well all the comfort ;)
Might sound a bit confusing but its actually about a good balance. The healthy stuff will give you all the goodness and the comfy food...well all the comfort ;)
4 - Daylight is your best Friend
Open all the blinds and curtains to get as much sunlight as possible - will not only visibly brighten your mood but also biologically
5 - Pampering and taking care of yourself
Just do something really nice for yourself - alone or with all your favourite people.
This might be a big one for some and it tends to be for me, we all can be hard on ourselves from time to time and maybe especially after the Christmas overindulgence, and don’t even get me started on the whole ‘new year, new me’ attitude we’re guilt-tripped in to adopting. Don´t!
Yes maybe you set yourself new years resolutions and you forgot about them by now but hey...doesn´t matter at least you know now that it´s been really not that important for you.
Everyone has their own self-care routines maybe yours is to take a nice hot bath or to cook your favourite dinner or to go out and watch the newest film whatever it is just do it as often as necessary to feel your best self.
Just give in to yourself and whatever your body tells you; cancel those plans if you feel more like staying at home same for the gym...the little things will brighten up every day!
Just be nice to yourself, you know you deserve it ^^
6 - Find yourself a winter project
Having a project will not only make the time fly by but also give your brain a topic to think about and your hands work to do plus all the time spent inside is well used ;)
I bet there is something you wanted to do for so long but never seemed to have the time for.
So just use all the time you have to spent inside (after you´ve been out for at least 10 minutes ^^) and do it...I don´t know...repaint the walls of your living room, declutter or reorganise your wardrobe there are so many projects you can find and do in you home!
7 - Get Moving
Exercising is an impotant part also in winter - you will feel so much better and it´l get the oxygen in your blood that´ll help to make you awake and happy ^^
Just do not over think it and do it! Find something you love and go ;) I know how hard not overthinking things can be but just try it and you´ll feel better.
8 - Plan a Vacation or Staycation
It would be the perfect thing to just travel somewhere warm and sunny but unfortunately thats not always so easy to do so maybe just plan a little weekend getaway or just stay at home and invite your friends or family - will be super special staycation and just as exciting ^^
9 - Surround yourself with bright colours
Brighter colours just brighten the mood. So change everything from your sheets to your phone background or get some lovely bright fresh flowers - always brightens my mood everytime I walk by instantly ^^
10 - Get out all the bright and happy Music
How never experienced the huge influence music has on the mood...My mood actually can immideatly change with music so get out all the bright and happy upbeat songs and start dancing around in the kitchen ^^
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January has the potential to be an amazing month and it is what you make of it...so no giving up people ;) Stay positive, plan fun things with your family, with your partner or all your favourite people, make some lists and stay productive and have a few you days ^^.
In the end its probably all about the balance and to find out and do more of all the tings that make you happy!
What do you do to stay on track when you’re feeling a little down throughout winter?
Do you have experiences with seasonal affective disorder do you have any tips?
With lots of love
♥♥♥
Verena
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