The days are drawing in, hats and gloves are out and frost is chilling on windowpanes – winter has well and truly arrived. For many of us, with the warmth and light of summer a distant memory, it’s depressing.
Winter days are literally dark and for some (especially those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder) figuratively so too.
Winter has a habit of promoting lethargy and depression. Even with the excitement of Christmas on the horizon, it can still be a struggle. It can seem hard to get out of bed in the mornings and motivation can crash to an all-time low.
If you dread the bleak winter days, here are some ideas to brighten them and make the long, desolate winter more bearable:
Light!
Sounds obvious right? However, actively filling your home environment with lamps, fairy lights and candles will really help to lift your mood. It’s also a good reason to get the Christmas tree up as soon as possible! The twinkle of the pretty tree lights and other festive illuminations really make you feel happier.
When the sun is being miserly with its own light – create as much of your own as you can!
Inspiration
A daily dose of inspiration can really help you to keep going during the long winter.
While it’s true that inspiration often finds you in the most unsuspecting of places, if you’re feeling demotivated and uninspired you need to seek it out. Draw out positivity and motivation from any person, place or thing you can find.
It could be listening to podcasts by people who inspire you as well as interesting TED talks. Or you could try a regular dose of inspiring quotes and stories.
Whatever or whoever inspires you, make sure you get your daily fix of them to keep you feeling stimulated and alive.
Try Something New
Starting a new project or learning something for the first time is always exciting. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Now is the time to give it a go.
Hots Baths With Essential Oils
A hot, steamy bath with a few drops of essential oils is a fool proof way to feel lighter. Add in plenty of candles, a face mask and a good book and there’s no better way of feeling rejuvenated at the end of a dark, drab day.
Blankets
A cosy, plump blanket is an essential part of any winter survival kit. Make sure you have warm blankets folded up all over the house – ripe for snuggling under and getting cosy.
An Early Night…
Like most parents, you are probably faced with the daily conundrum of going to bed early to catch up on sleep or staying awake to finally get some ‘me time’.
During the winter, an early night usually wins. Like a hibernating animal, you may need more sleep during the long winter months.
…And An Early Start
Waking up super early, (around 5am), may sound utterly bonkers but it will give you a delirious hour and a half to yourself before the kids wake up.
This could possibly to be the most productive time of the day because you’re more alert and energised than in the evenings.
Starting the day with some good quality time to yourself will really set you up for a better day and puts you in a positive frame of mind.
Slow Cooker Meals
If you have a slow cooker, dig it out and use it often. There’s nothing better than coming in from the rain and bitter wind to a warm house full of the tempting aroma of whatever is bubbling in the slow cooker.
