I don't think it's any secret that most peoples' moods dip a bit during the winter months. With everything going on in the world right now, things are even more difficult for a lot of people this winter. My best friend and I were talking the other day about feeling like we're in such a slump and how we can't wait for winter to finally be over. With that being said, I started to think about what has helped me to get through it most:
Don't save everything fun for the weekend
This is one that I think is relevant no matter what time of year it is, but is especially important during the winter months. In the past, I've been really guilty of only planning things that I really enjoy for the weekend because I "didn't have time" during the week. When you do this, it really sets you up to only look forward to two days a week and I personally never want to live that way if I can help it. The truth is, it really does make a difference when you do something you enjoy every day. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, but scheduling fun things for weeknights really makes Monday through Friday more enjoyable. Whether it's having a girls' night on Tuesdays or planning a special meal you really enjoy, these little things will give you something to look forward to and will help push you through.
Prep for the week ahead to reduce stress
I really like taking at least part of the day on Sundays to prep for the week ahead. This helps me to feel like my Monday runs smoothly, and can inertia can carry on throughout the week. I don't devote an entire day to this, but every Sunday I do a few things that set me up to have a productive week. Getting all my laundry done and put away, meal planning/grocery shopping, and making sure my apartment is clean/mostly organized always helps me. This way, you're not doing these tasks during the week when you're already facing increased stress levels.
Being active and getting outside
This is an area where I have been struggling lately, and need to be better about this winter. It can be really hard to motivate yourself especially when it's dark and cold what feels like all day, but it really is an effective mood booster. Even going for a twenty minute walk and listening to a great podcast can be just enough to get some fresh air and exercise. If it's too cold to get outside, some of our favorite quick and easy at home workouts are Blogilates and XHIT Daily.
Practice self care
There's honestly nothing better (or more important) than taking time for yourself regularly. Whatever your definition of self care is, do that thing and make it a habit. Whether it's getting a facial, giving yourself a manicure, doing a spin class, or reading a good book before bed, prioritizing the things that bring you happiness are so important. Doing the things that you care about and make you feel good also helps to break up the monotony of the week. Feeling like the weekdays are an eat, sleep, work, repeat cycle is the worst, and self care really helps combat that.
Invest in a hobby
This is something I've really realized the importance of since starting this blog. Olivia and I have always loved writing, and finally creating an outlet to do it regularly has been so much fun! I really value having something outside of work that I can put time and effort into and it's honestly a great outlet. I think that's the key with any hobby- it can be literally anything you enjoy doing. Prioritizing time to learn something new, or just investing in what makes you feel good is the best feeling.
Stay connected
Again, this is a lot harder with the current circumstances, but staying in touch with the ones you love is a great mood booster. For me personally, I tend to use social media a lot as a way to feel connected with what others' are up to (which is a great tool), but nothing feels better than actually having a conversation with the people you care about. Try calling a friend or family member and just chatting for a few minutes and I guarantee you'll feel your mood boost.
Planning for future events that you're excited about
In a pre-Covid world, this obviously would look a lot different. Although most people aren't currently planning the typical exciting events like travel or fun get togethers with groups, I still firmly believe that it's so helpful to have something concrete to look forward to. Even if it's just a getting takeout and having a movie night or buying yourself something you've really been wanting, having things you're excited about built into your schedule can really help mentally when things feel tough.
These are my top tips for staying in a good place mentally during the gloom of winter. Feel free to share yours in the comments- we would love to hear them!
