How’s the weather over there? It may be that you’re lucky enough to live in a state where abundant warmth and sunshine are the status quo all year round. Or maybe you’re reading from Australia or New Zealand where the weather grows warmer and sunnier as the rest of the world cools down. However, if the days are drawing in and the nights are growing darker and colder, then we’re in the same bout. And around this time of year it gets a lot harder to say chipper and upbeat. During the winter, many of us begin to grapple with Seasonal Affective Disorder. We start to feel less energetic and motivated. We struggle to find joy in the things that used to bring us pleasure. We retreat into ourselves and become a shadow of our former selves.
But, there are many ways in which we can combat this seasonal feeling of sadness and lethargy. Some are well known, others are not. The trouble is that what may be effective for some may not be as effective for others. If you haven’t quite found what works for you, then you might want to try these more unconventional ways to beat the winter blues.
Wear bright colors
It will come as no surprise to many that color can have a very real impact on our mood. However, when winter sets in many of us tend to wear muted colors like browns, greens, grays, and dark blues. If the season is getting you down, fashion be damned, it’s time to inject some color into your ensemble. Warm colors can have mood boosting benefits. Try heading on over to Adina’s Jewels and treat yourself to some rainbow earrings that are sure to brighten your day. Or add some warm hues to your makeup palette. Not only will you feel brighter and more cheerful when you look in the mirror, you’ll also give those around you the gift of your bright and vibrant presence.
Smile at everyone! Seriously, everyone!
Speaking of warm, bright and vibrant gifts, what greater gift can you give a stranger than a dazzling smile? When the winter blues gets you down, try smiling as often as you can at whomever you can. Your friends, your significant other, your boss, your colleagues, the bus driver, everyone. The act of smiling releases feel-good chemicals in the brain like endorphins and dopamine to elevate your mood… plus the more you smile, the more you’ll see your smile reciprocated on the faces of others.
Join a dance or fitness class
There’s no denying that exercise is a great way to stimulate the body’s pleasure centers and naturally elevate your mood. But if the idea of hitting the treadmill on a damp and dreary evening doesn’t appeal to you, how about joining a dance class? The act of dancing combines all of the feel good benefits of other forms of cardiovascular exercise with the sense of satisfaction that comes with learning new skills. You can also try yoga classes or soul cycle. These are also a great way to meet new people, gain self-confidence and take another step towards personal growth.
If all of the usual ways of battling the winter blues aren’t working for you, don’t be afraid to be a little unconventional!
*This is a partnered post.
