Do you ever find yourself in a funk and wondering how to escape the winter blues? Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who don’t notice much of a downswing in your mood, you might still agree that this time of year has its challenges.
Rainy – Cloudy – Snowy – Cold – Stuck Inside… It all tends to add up and take a toll.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve Googled and read all the tips from taking your dog for a walk to surefire breathing exercises. There’s a lot of wisdom out there and a collection of your favorite tactics can really help—when you use them.
And that’s what I would recommend. To do some online research and read some articles. The idea is to build your go-to list of strategies and tactics you feel like you can use to fight off the winter blues.
And “fight” is the wrong word…
Because looking at escaping the winter blues as a fight will only make it more of a struggle. You’re looking for tips that appeal to you. You know, so you’ll actually do them. Hey, they can be fun too!
A few years back, I wrote a post about a simple, must-do, escape the winter blues activity that’ll help get you through the season. I called it, “The 15-Minute Stop Whatever You’re Doing Rule for Seasonal Survival” and you can check it out here. It’s been one of the most effective methods I’ve found. And it really does only take 15-minutes.
I also want to share something new I discovered this past week. I know, surprising… but it can happen. I’ll first point out, it’s simply an observation, but it seems to have some merit.
I was reading an article that was listing all the usual suspects that contribute to the winter blues. Things like shorter, dreary days, colder weather… you’ve seen the lists. This article listed a new one I don’t usually see mentioned—the trees losing their leaves! So…
What if it’s not the lack of leaves, but the lack of green?
For the last few days, when I’ve gone on my daily walks, I’ve focused on the evergreens and let the naked tree skeletons have their privacy. And you know what, it seems to help. Definitely not in the miracle category, but possibly another tool to add to the kit. You may want to give it a try.
More than anything, two things have made the most difference for me.
First, I begin my escape-the-winter-blues strategies before the dreary days set in. If the winter blues got you down last year, you’ve got to realize they might get you down again. So, the key is to begin and keep doing your mood lifters while you’re feeling good.
And second, I’ve found that you’ve got to know your go-to strategy to use when you’re feeling the blues. Get to know your list of strategies that work for you and pick the easiest one to do first. It will get you started, then you can add the others from your list based on what works best for you.
It’s easy to dismiss the simplest ones, but I’ve found they’re often the most effective.
For example, more and more we’ve been turning off the TV and putting on some music. And you know, it’s really kind of nice. Such a simple, good idea can brighten even the dreariest winter day!
Be untucked.
Do you have a great tip for escaping the winter blues? Leave a comment. Or if you know someone who might find this post helpful, consider sharing it with them.
p.s. The tips I mentioned above are based on my personal experiences and observations. And I hope they help you as well. If approaches like these aren’t working for you, be sure to reach out for professional help.
Copyright © 2022 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved
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