Unhappy? 6 Tips for Beating Winter Blues

Personal Development | 16 comments

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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has been something I’ve known about since I was a teenager. It wasn’t until I was quite a bit older, however, that it became more clear to me how I can deal with the effects of this. So I’ve put together some of my favorite tips for beating winter blues.
1. Artificial sunshine: You let the energy light lamp

shine on your face for 15-30 minutes during the morning or afternoon to give you an energy boost. This is a method that I have not actually used yet but loved ones have found it extremely beneficial. I just added it to my Christmas wish list for next year. It will come in handy next year when the baby doesn’t nap as frequently as he currently does. His less frequent napping schedule will limit my napping opportunities and lack of sleep leaves me with little energy to stabilize my emotions. Update Jan 2020: I recently bought this SAD Light and have been using it this winter. I love it! I use it in the morning and right after lunch and find it helps with feeling more refreshed in the morning as well as mostly avoiding the after lunch energy slump.)

2. Sunny people: Spend time with fun friends. I’m a more serious person by nature so I find others who can bring a little bit of sunshine into my life. Being married not only means I am accountable to someone with my mood (i.e. it’s not fair for him to come home to a moping wife every day), but one of the things I love most about my husband is that he can make me laugh. He lightens me up. I have been blessed with friends who lighten my mood. I also have a few sons who can “turn his goof on,” as we like to say, and can have our whole household cracking up. Laughter is a wonderful medicine.
3. Sunshine in a bottle: Vitamin D3 supplement

can be a huge help. There is not a lot of sunshine during the winter so giving yourself a vitamin boost can have some big benefits. Another wintertime supplement that can make a difference for mood stability is omega 3.

4. Go outside: Fresh air, sunshine on your face, watching your kids play in the snow, exercise. All of these things help boost your mood. After being cooped up inside during the cold snaps that occur during much of the winter, I really appreciate going outside for even a few minutes just to breath. There is also something healing about being outside in direct contact with God’s creation.
5. Countdown: Remind yourself that there are only about 2 months left of winter. It will probably be less for some of you, depending on your location. Maybe even less for me as I’m further south than I have lived in the past. I countdown until I can start my garden seeds. I count down to Easter. I count down to my oldest son’s spring time birthday. Little stepping stones that keep me pushing forward toward sunshine season.
6. Music: There are summertime songs, and there are wintertime songs. Play some summertime music and dance like no one’s watching. My kids LOVE this one and they take turns being my dance partner. It can be a lot of fun to let loose once in a while. Here’s a list of some of the ones that my family has been dancing to lately:
  • Cotton-Eyed Joe – Rednex
  • Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
  • Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
  • Kokomo – Beach Boys
  • 500 miles – The Proclaimers
  • Hey Mickey – Toni Basil
  • Wannabe – Spice Girls
  • Angel – Shaggy
  • Whenever Wherever – Shakira
  • Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  • Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
6. Foundational Habits: The best thing anyone can do is to establish a good rhythm of self care. Establishing habits before you are in the thick of seasonal affective disorder is ideal but anyone can start with something as simple as working on gratitude. In my Self Care Series I share how I begin at the bottom and work my way up anytime that I notice I’m slipping into seasonal affective disorder or depression.
Do you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or winter blues? Please share your favorite tips beating winter blues. And drop your email in the box below and I’ll send you my free Habit Workbook and Habit Tracker. It will walk you through how to set habits fo various areas of your life and give you the tools you need to begin setting that foundation of habits where better lives begin.
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16 Comments

  1. Leah Courtney
    Leah Courtney on February 28, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    I do suffer from SAD. My husband is one of those “happy people” who does a great job helping to cheer me. He encourages me to get outside when I can. And he has set me down and read Scripture to me. That was a great encouragement.

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 28, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      It’s so great to have someone to count on, isn’t it? So glad you’re able to find that love and support from your husband.

      Reply
  2. Mama Lissy
    Mama Lissy on February 26, 2014 at 9:41 am

    I love going outside & being around sunny people. These both definitely help! I also love to read uplifting quotes or thought provoking books.

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 28, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Those are great ideas. I often peruse Pinterest “funny” boards and I’m a sucker for a good book with a positive message.

      Reply
  3. Bonni
    Bonni on February 25, 2014 at 11:04 am

    Hi! I enjoyed reading this post!! I need to go outside more, even if it’s for a few minutes, and I just started taking vitamins! I’ll visit again!

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 28, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      Outside is probably the toughest one for me but I really feel a positive difference when I do it. I hope that you have more luck with it than I do.

      Reply
  4. Brittany
    Brittany on February 25, 2014 at 10:28 am

    I used to have difficult winters in college. It’s been a lot better lately though. I got tanning every week or two during the winters and I sit next to a huge picture window all day. I get very grouchy when I don’t have enough sunlight.

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 28, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Tanning is another nice way to get artificial sunlight. It’s great to find something that works for you. Not really a place that I’d want to bring 3 little children to though!

      Reply
  5. Linda @ Linda's Lunacy
    Linda @ Linda's Lunacy on February 25, 2014 at 10:18 am

    It sure has been a long, hard, cold winter! Those are all good tips for beating the winter blues.

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 25, 2014 at 10:27 am

      It has been much colder this year. I’m saying that as my boys just bundled up to go play outside. They are much braver than I am!

      Reply
  6. Missi Perez
    Missi Perez on February 25, 2014 at 9:53 am

    Thank you for sharing!! Much needed this winter. Next year I might hibernate

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

      Last winter I needed to spend several hours each day in the barely heated barn with my (then) 2 and 4 year old. This year I have been hibernating, using the new baby as an excuse 🙂

      Reply
  7. Marcia @ Blogitudes
    Marcia @ Blogitudes on February 25, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Excellent post and much needed. I live in western New York and we’ve been in a deep freeze for months (it seems) – dreary skies, lots of snow, slippery roads, etc. etc. Everyone’s complaining and suffering with SAD. What we need are more great posts like this that offer solutions to the problem. Thank you! 😀

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 25, 2014 at 10:26 am

      Thank you! I hope that it offers some help to others. It seems this winter is colder than average in many places this year. Where I used to live (about 3.5 hours north of my current home) got so much snow that roofs have been caving in!

      Reply
  8. Ashley S
    Ashley S on February 25, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Those are some great posts 🙂

    Reply
    • Tessa
      Tessa on February 25, 2014 at 10:28 am

      Thank you. I’m glad you are enjoying them.

      Reply

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