Every year, the third Monday of January is dubbed “Blue Monday.” According to theory, this is the time of the year when we find ourselves cold, broke, and buried in the guilt that last year’s New Year resolutions remained unfulfilled. According to scientists and specialists, Blue Monday could be nothing but a marketing hoax. Nevertheless, winter blues are a real issue for many people, especially those suffering from seasonal affective disorders (SAD).
This condition related to seasons changes can make you feel hopeless and trigger anxiety and stress. It can also cause sleep and eating disorders, reduce concentration, and, in the most severe cases, lead to suicidal thoughts.
Whilst we recommend contacting your GP if you feel anxious or depressed, there are many other simple ways to help ease your Winter blues. Check out some of our tips below to bring some light to the darker days.
1) CREATE A COSY NOOK WITH CANDLES AND FAIRY LIGHTS
Winter SAD syndrome is majorly triggered by the lack of natural light. With the sunset happening in the late afternoon rather than evening, your levels of melatonin go up. This hormone helps to time your circadian rhythm, but too much of it can cause depression.
Sure, you can’t control the amount of daylight, but you can ward off negative feelings by creating a cosy corner where you can retreat whenever you feel down.
Looking at the bright side, longer evenings give you the perfect excuse to enjoy candlelight dinners or the dim glow of fairy lights while watching TV or catching up with your beloved ones.
2) UNCLUTTER YOUR HOME
Winter blues may make you want to keep the curtains down and sleep all day, but nothing can beat a fresh start each morning. And uncluttering your home is one of the best ways to ward off a bad mood.
To begin with, establish a routine of making your bed each day. Then, deal with that stash of papers piled on your desk, organise your drawers, donate old clothes to charity, and get rid of all useless things in your home and life.
3) PLAN A COSY FILM NIGHT
Whether you love rom-coms or action films, nothing can beat a cuddly night in. It doesn’t even have to be a film. Reruns of your favourite series or watching cute cat videos on YouTube work wonders too. And to give your cosy night an extra touch, tuck yourself under a Calming Heat Cozy blanket.
Perfect for pampering yourself, the blanket can make you forget about the cold outside in the blink of an eye.
Therapeutic heat aside, this weighted blanket can boost your comfort and even massage your sore muscles. A nice treat and alternative to spa.
4) PAINT OR COLOUR MANDALAS
You may not aim to become the new Picasso, but painting or colouring are sure ways to ward off winter blues and relax.
All you need is a blank canvas or colouring book for adults and a set of watercolours or coloured pencils. With these supplies, you can get lost in art and think about sunny days to come.
5) BRING SPRING INTO YOUR HOME
We can’t argue; January is a cold, dark month. Yet, spring is just around the corner. So why don’t you banish winter blues by adding some signs of spring to your home?
Perhaps the simplest way is with fresh flowers, thoughtfully arranged in a vase and placed on your coffee table or windowsill.
Alternatively, this is the right time to buy flower bulbs or seeds and some pots. Seeding your favourite plants in January gives you plenty of time to let them germinate and grow healthy seedlings until it’s time to transplant them in your yard.
6) LET IN THE LIGHT TO BANISH WINTER BLUES
The lack of light is your biggest enemy if you have a seasonal affective disorder, so make sure to replace all heavy curtains with some light, thin alternatives that let plenty of light flood your rooms. Window treatments aside, you can also move your desk near a window to benefit from as much natural light as possible.
7) MAKE SOME COMFORT FOOD
According to a study published in 2016, the amino acid tryptophan can increase your serotonin level. Dubbed “the happiness hormone,” serotonin can erase stress, anxiety, and depression, replacing them with merrier feelings.
If you’re now looking for ways to integrate sufficient tryptophan into your diet, know that eggs, turkey, salmon, and cheese are just some of the foods rich in this amino acid. All you have to do is up these ingredients during winter and make yourself some delicious comfort food. We love this indulgent Eggs Royale recipe.
8) BAKE BROWNIES
If you don’t fancy a savoury treat, a brownie or two can surely make the day feel brighter. This sweet treat is effortless to make, and if you want to create the perfect brownies, you can simply use the brownie bonanza tray. We also highly recommend this brilliantly boozy Baileys Brownies recipe, but maybe bookmark it somewhere if you’re doing Dry January!
This tray is designed to help you bake 18 perfect brownies, each with that delicious outer edge crust. Pair the goodies with a cup of your favourite tea, and you’ll be ready to face even the darkest winter day.
9) START YOUR MORNING WITH A POWER SONG
We all have that one song that takes us to a happy place as soon as we listen to it. That’s why listening to a power song first thing in the morning is an effective way of fighting winter blues. Or if one song’s not enough, check out hundreds of happy music playlists available on all good streaming sites.
10) CUDDLE WITH A GOOD BOOK
Another easy way to banish winter blues is with a cuppa and a good book. Whether it’s a new novel you’ve wanted to read for a long time, a soapy regency romance, or re-reading your favourite childhood book, the written word has the power to remove negative thoughts and reduce stress levels.
To take your reading break to the next level, slip into a pair of fluffy plush socks and wrap yourself up in a warm blanket. Don’t forget to move your favourite armchair near a window or in the conservatory so that you can bask in the sunlight while forgetting all about the cold weather outside.
We hope these tips help your Monday and winter feel a lot less blue.
Photo by Lidya Nada on Unsplash