Winter blues got you down? Read on for ideas on how to get out of a slump and beat those winter blues. Even in the dead of winter.
This past week I was feeling really down. The weather sucks, things are getting cancelled right and left again, school is threatening to go online again, kids are needy, I’m dealing with some hard things right now, and I was just feeling blah. And disappointed. And tired. And annoyed. And burnt out. And all the bad things.
Usually traveling cheers me up, but we can’t always be traveling, right? Haha! So I asked several friends how they get out of a slump. I got some really great answers, so I thought I’d share. Because winter is just hard for a lot of people. Even without all the other stuff going on right now.
1. Plan a trip
Even though I can’t go on a trip right now, I could always plan one! Planning is half the fun anyway. And for future reference, maybe I should save my resources and plan better so that I can have a winter getaway next year. Last year we went to Jamaica in the middle of February and it helped a lot! It gave me something to look forward to during the dreariest time of year where I live. Need help planning a trip? We love Get Away Today!
2. Get outside
I know that when I get outside, even for a few minutes, my mood is lifted. That is hard for me when it’s cold, but something I just need to do more regularly during the winter. This past weekend, I took my kids to Winterfest at East Canyon State Park. Each year they offer several different types of winter activities so you can try them and see if you like any of them. I liked this because even though I’m not a huge fan of winter sports, it was fun to try them in small doses. They offered ice fishing, snowmobiling, sledding, and cross-country skiing. And it definitely helped that there was plenty of blue skies and sunshine that day, even if it was cold.
3. Get warm
You may not be able to lounge poolside or sunbathe at the beach, but you can still enjoy some warmth on your back. Find a warm place in your house where the sun shines through and bask in that for a few minutes every day. Or sit by the fire. Or visit a hot springs or get in a hot tub.
4. Listen to some fun music
I seriously forget what a mood-booster music can be. Just this morning I went to a new Tahitian dance class and the music was so fun! It almost had me smelling the ocean breeze right there in the gym. Ha! My kids and I also love to listen to Disney songs when we’re in the car. It really does lift my spirits. What are some of your favorite cheer-me-up songs?
5. Serve someone
It feels nice to get outside yourself and do something for someone else. Even if it’s something simple like writing a note and mailing it to someone. Or baking a treat and taking it to a neighbor. Or even just calling an old friend. One of my college roommates called me out of the blue the other day and it totally made my day! I hadn’t talked to her in probably 10-15 years, but it was really fun to catch up with her.
6. Keep a gratitude journal
When we focus on the good, the good gets better. It’s so good to remind ourselves of what we have to be grateful for. Even when things suck, there’s almost always stuff to be thankful for. I love this Five-Minute Journal. It doesn’t take much time, but sets a great tone for the beginning and end of each day.
7. Laugh
Find something funny and share it with someone! Funny movies, memes, video clips, etc. Even if we don’t feel like smiling, faking it produces a similar reaction psychologically. Keep a Pinterest board of funny things that you can look at when you need a little pick me up. In church yesterday, the speaker talked about how she kept a board of uplifting quotes to look at as well when she was needing a boost.
8. Plan a celebration
There are so many random, fun holidays to celebrate. And if there’s not one coming up, make up one and have an excuse to plan something to celebrate! I recently discovered this Facebook page that posts some fun ideas for celebrations each week. From Rubber Duckie Day to Chocolate Cake Day, she has great ideas for simple fun things you can to each week to get yourself out of a rut and celebrate!
9. Read a good book
If I can’t escape to a tropical destination every winter, I can at least read about one! While curled up in a soft, warm blanket! Some favorites I’ve read recently include The Gem Thief, Finding Dorothy, and A Red Bird Christmas. Need more ideas? Check out this post for some of our favorite travel-inspiring books. What are some of your favorite books you’ve read recently?
10. Give yourself grace
Accept the fact that sometimes you’ll just be in a slump. And that’s ok. Sometimes we think we need to be happy all the time, and that’s just not the case. It’s ok to feel sad and disappointed and annoyed and all the things. Especially when things are hard. Give yourself some grace. You are doing better than you think you are. Remember that after winter comes spring. Seasons are natural—even in your own life.
What would you add to this list? How do you beat the winter blues when you can’t travel to a warm, tropical location? Stay warm, my friends!
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SUNLIGHT is the key! If your area of the world is in low sunlight…go somewhere for VitaminD refill and then return. It makes all the difference!
Planning a new trip is dfinitely my fave way to beat the winter blahs! Lets me dream away and lifts my spirits for sure!
These are perfect suggestions! I love using the winter months to plan for trips.
I love ALL of these! I definitely try to do them all to beat the winter blues.
These are all great ways to beat the winter blues! I especially love the idea of planning a trip. And getting outside on a winter hike nourishes my soul.
These are great ways to beat the blues! I have to always be planning a trip!
These are great time anytime if year! Especially how cooped up we have all been for the last couple years.
Right? My friend suggested I might be having a bit of PTSD from March 2020 with things shutting down again, and I hadn’t thought of it that way. I think many of us might feel that way after being cooped up!
I can relate to this. I always like to have various trips in different phases of planning to help with winter blues. I’ve also been working on gratitude the past few years, and that has really made a difference.
Reading. becomes a favorite diversion on cold winter nights. I haven’t read The Gem Thief: I’ll check it out!
Yes! It’s a fun one!