As much as we love winter for its beautiful holidays and festivities, there is another side to it. Darker and shorter days might leave us feeling under the weather for the bigger part of the season. Our energy is low, motivation is weak and it is still way too early to hope for the spring to fix this.
But it doesn’t have to be like that all the time. There are small things that we can do to lift our spirits, brighten our days, and bring back our energy.
1. Bring in the light and colors
If you live somewhere where it’s snowy in winter, you probably felt the lack of light and colors during the season. Although white postcard-like winter is a beautiful sight, the weather might feel quite colorless and dull at times. One of the ways to fight this is to create your own cozy oasis at home.
First of all, make sure you let in as much light, as possible. Leave dark heavy curtains for the bedroom and opt for lighter, sheer curtains in other rooms. White linen curtains will do the trick, as they will give you the required privacy without blocking the light. Once opened, they don’t overcrowd the windows, unlike darker, heavier curtains might.
Second, add colors. This can also be easily done without any radical home makeovers. Add a colorful throw and a couple of bright cushions to your living room sofa. Cushion covers are a great way to add color as you might change them from time to time depending on the mood and season. Switch your pillowcases or a duvet cover to a bright, colorful one. Or simply go for full bedding set in a bold color. And don’t forget the table linen. Play around with different colors and prints when dressing your table with a linen tablecloth, napkins, and placemats.
2. Move!
Let’s admit, we are less physically active during the winter. An option of a comfortable sofa and a movie often wins and our motivation to move is not at the highest peak, too. But here is the trick - we might not feel motivated to move, but movement can boost our motivation. So you might start with a short daily exercise in the morning to get the energy flowing. With plenty of exercise videos and tips on the internet, you might try different routines and find what suits you best. If stretching and squats are not your cup of tea, try dancing. Put on your favorite song and dance your heart out!
3. Mind your food
It is tempting to go for another snack during the movie or indulge in comfort food to treat yourself. However, this might not always make us feel better in the end. So we invite you to be mindful about what you put on your plate. Why not try new healthy recipes? Or making a ritual of slow, healthy breakfast options to give you the right amount of energy to start the day.
4. A good rest
Obvious, but nonetheless crucial to our wellbeing and mood is a good night’s sleep. There are a few simple things that you can do to improve your sleep and wake up rested.
- First of all, sleep in high-quality bedding. Linen bedding is just perfect as it is hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking, keeping you comfortable all night long.
- Maintain a sleeping schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day lets your body know when it is time to sleep and time to wake up. Also, make sure you sleep a full 7 to 8 hours a night.
- Open your window for a minute before you go to bed. This will let in some fresh air and cool down the room a bit, making it easier to fall asleep.
Check our previous articles on sleep, where you might find even more useful tips:
- 5 ways to fall asleep faster
- How linen bedding can make you a better person
5. Savoring
It’s especially easy to get in a rut when we spend so much time at home with limited options of entertainment, noticing fewer pleasant experiences. But there is a simple technique that you can practice to rediscover pleasure in the same little things you do every day. It is called savoring. Remember the last time you ate a delicious meal. You probably concentrated all your attention on it, enjoying the taste, smell, texture, unconcerned about everything else. So savoring invites us to draw our attention to the present moment, noticing all the pleasant things about it. And it’s easy to do - the next time you prepare your daily brew, just stop for a moment, notice the beautiful color of your drink, the pleasant smell, take a sip, and enjoy the taste, texture, feel how it makes you warm and relaxed. Savor those little things!
