Different from the warm and colorful summer season, the winter is cold, cloudy, and for some people, gloomy. A lot of it has to do with the limited time spent outdoors in the sun, which is necessary for our well-being. Some people are more affected by this and it can lead to seasonal depression, also known as “winter blues.

It can be tempting to turn off the lights and spend the rest of the season sleeping (some animals, like bears, actually do that). However, we have things to do and it’s no good locking ourselves indoors. This is a very real condition, and there are ways to treat it so that you can feel better and happier during this time!

Check out below a few tips to boost your winter wellness and discover how to handle this gloomy season.

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." –Victor Hugo

Check On Heating and Safety Systems

Since heating systems and fireplaces are generally used a lot during the winter season, it’s always important to check on them. Make sure they are in good condition to be used – it’s a matter of comfort and safety. 

After months without use, heating systems might need some repairs or basic maintenance to properly work. The same goes for the chimney, which may need to be cleaned – a clogged chimney is a danger to your health and also a potential fire hazard. 

Check on these and ensure that you can enjoy a comfortable temperature indoors during the winter!

Let Light In

One of the most efficient winter mood boosters is sunlight. Nothing better than the warm sunlight during a cold winter day for some vitamin D. 

And the solution is very simple: open your curtains and let the light in. During winter, the days are shorter and it can often be cloudy, therefore make the most of the available sunlight you can and enjoy it.

Renew Your Place

There’s nothing better to improve your mood than renewing your place, and that goes for any season. It doesn’t need to be a big renovation project either, even a small change is enough to lift your mood. 

Try moving your furniture around and experimenting with new layouts. A few other ideas are to replace old furniture, repaint a room, or even hang some artwork around the house. A new space can refresh your seasonal humor.

Have a Space for Exercises

Exercises are a great mood booster. They reduce stress and anxiety levels and increase the endorphin and serotonin, hormones responsible for the well-being of the human being. Therefore, to avoid the seasonal sadness of the winter, have a space at home for some exercises. 

It doesn’t need to be a big space, just a corner is fine as long as you have enough room to move around a bit. And the exercises themselves don’t have to be high-intensity – you can focus on stretching and simple bodyweight exercises once or twice a week to keep things flowing.

Keep Your Home Cozy

It’s important to keep your home cozy, even more so to fight winter blues. Your home is the place you’re supposed to feel comfortable and welcome, therefore fill your rooms with things that make you happy. Good books, your favorite blankets, your favorite pillows, and a good cup of your favorite hot drink… every little thing counts.

Try On Healthy Meals

It’s often overlooked, but healthy foods can greatly influence your mood. For example, it’s common to try and remedy a bad mood with some junk food, but you’ll never get nutrients for your body that way, and your mood will steadily drop.

You don’t necessarily need to cut all the sugars and carbohydrates – these are also good for you in the right amount. Just try keeping your health and diet balanced, digesting all the vitamins, nutrients and proteins, and drinking enough water. Taking care of yourself is one of the most important winter wellness tips I can give you! 

Improve The Air Quality

During winter, it’s common to close all the windows to keep the room warm and avoid the outdoor cold air, however, this will eventually influence your house’s air quality. 

Without the open flow of oxygen, the air in your house will become dry. This is why it’s recommended that you have a humidifier to keep the air at the right humidity. Also, houseplants and HEPA filters are a tremendous help to keep your indoor air quality healthy.

Warm Up

In a cold and freezing winter, nothing is better than a long and good hot shower. Therefore, it’s recommended for you to warm up your baths and get cozy. Applying essential oils or turning up the heater in your bathroom is a nice way to make it more comfortable and convenient to take a shower during cold days. 

A small heater is enough to warm up your bathroom, but you might want to invest in a better shower head while you’re at it. The effect of taking a good shower cannot be understated.

Take a Walk Outside

As the weather gets colder, you might be tempted to stay inside your house, calm and warm up. However, after a while, not having contact with the outdoors can influence your mood a bit. 

Try taking a walk outside when the weather allows, even if just for a few minutes. Check on your backyard, or take care of your home garden – anything to avoid the feeling of being stuck at home.

Keep In Touch With Friends

And of course, stay sociable. We’re a social species after all! 

Try to schedule a few simple plans with friends, whether it’s at home or for a night out. Plan a night with your friends, without needing to cook whole meals or decorate the entire house, and have an easy and fun night. Even just inviting them over to watch a movie is better than sulking alone at home.

It’s always important to keep in touch with your loved ones. Long winter nights can give you the perfect opportunities to reach out and warm their hearts, which in turn, warms your own.

Winter can be a lot cozier if your heating is working as intended. Contact a local heating contractor to take a look and repair potential issues that could be straining the appliance and skyrocketing your bills.


MORE FROM HOMEYOU

Should I Start a Renovation Project during Winter?
5 Reasons Why Winter is a Great Time for Interior Painting
Here’s Why You Should Install a Chimney Cap this Winter

Join the conversation