If you are anything like me then you love summer, summer is my favorite season but when it comes to winter…not so much. If I could my dream would be to live somewhere Tropical, where it’s always sunny. Don’t get me wrong I do love Christmastime, all the holiday decor, cozy fireplaces, and all the holiday cheer around, its the best part of winter.

Growing up as a child I loved winter, we lived in a very small friendly town, and all of us kids were always playing outside. We would find hills in the backcountry where there weren’t any cars driving and we would sled all day long. I remember coming home and my hand’s, legs and face were so cold, but I didn’t even notice how cold I was until I got home. But as I grew older with every year I would dread the winter season, let’s just say that I prefer to stay warm then cold. I had my moments were I experienced winter blues over the past few years. God created all four seasons for a reason, for us to experience and enjoy every time of the year. So instead of dwelling on winter and wishing for summer, over the past few years I changed my mentality and chose to savor every season and embrace it enthusiastically, yes even winter. So I am excited to share some tips I have learned to find joy in winter and battle the winter blues.

1.Positive Mind.

Set your mind to positive thinking and embrace winter. If you keep dwelling and complaining about how cold the weather is , you’re putting negative thoughts in your head and training your brain to drag you down. Start training your brain to think positive and center your thoughts on the things that make you happy. Positive thinking is the key to a happier healthier life. As I mentioned above I don’t like the cold very much and dread those times when I have to run outside especially in the mornings, and when my body is shivering from the cold I am so grateful and thankful for my preheated car (thanks to my hubby). So instead of complaining about the weather, I chose to focus on positive things like having a special person in my life that cares about me and warms up my car for me. Teach your brain to redirect your thoughts towards the positive things you have in life.

2. Plan Your Day.

Daylight in the winter is much shorter and days just seem to fly by, shorter days can be stressful especially if you have a busy schedule and it seems there is not enough time in a day. But if you plan your day the night before it’s much more likely that you will accomplish what you’re aiming to get done. Having a schedule will keep you more productive and will reduce any stress that you may have. It’s especially important to plan in the winter before you know it and the clock shows 5 o’clock and its pitch dark outside. So plan to get your errands done while its light outside and if you need to get things done in the evening then just because its darker doesn’t mean the day is over.

3. Listen To Music.

Trust me on this one, I always have to have music playing in the background. Listening to uplifting songs and your favorite songs cause the brain to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical. When we hear songs it moves us and stirs emotions inside us, happy music triggers happiness. So if you are feeling those winter blues, turn on Christmas music or your favorite song and dance your little heart out.

4. Plan a Vacation.

Summer is not the only time for vacation, plan your vacations around winter months as well. After all, you deserve a break from all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, all the planning and Christmas shopping can get overwhelming. Plan a vacation with your family somewhere sunny and tropical to warm you up. Having something fun and enjoyable to look forward to, like a planned vacation, will help you keep a positive mindset.

5. Go Out More Often.

Make dinner plans with your friends and go out more often, it will get you out of the house and get to you to be more social. It’s so important to have social interactions for our health and well being. In Genesis 2:18 God said  “Its not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”. I know God was talking about a wife for Adam here , but clearly, He created us to live and enjoy relationships. Good friends can you help you with stress and help you make better life choices, and support you thru thick and thin, especially those times in the winter when you are battling the winter blues.

6. Eat Healthier.

Try to eat healthier and incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet to boost your mood. Winter is the time when I seem to crave more comfort food, like chicken alfredo pasta which isn’t the best things for you, especially if you have it often. And with all the holiday parties comes food, and many times it’s not very nutritious. If you stick to a healthier diet, it will keep you focused and improve your physical health.

7. Keep your Home Clean.

There is something about polished floors and fresh sheets that makes me happy. Having a messy homes puts additional stress on us, clutter distracts us and signals our brain that our work is never done. So try to keep a tidy home so you can be more organized and focus on more important things. I love opening up my blinds and let natural light it, especially during winter when the days are shorter and we lack Vitamin D.

8. Plan Fun Things.

Look for events and fun things to do, winter is a great time for many Christmas events and concerts. Go see Holiday Light Display or your favorite band at a concert, write down fun events and concerts near you in your calendar to look forward to. Take a weekend trip to the mountains and rent a cabin, enjoy time with your family in the snow, if snowboarding is not your thing try skiing or sledding. There’s this German town that I absolutely love to visit, it reminds me of my childhood and brings back so many happy memories.

9. Reward Yourself.

It’s important to take care of ourselves and once in a while, we deserve to splurge a little, especially if you are feeling down and trying to cope with those winter blues. Treat yourself to a spa, or maybe book a hotel for a night with your hubby for some quality time together away from the kids, and enjoy all amenities the hotel has to offer. Maybe there’s something in the mall that you had your eye on, go ahead and treat yourself, everyone deserves some retail therapy once in a while.

10. Count your Blessings.

Our brain tends to focus on negative things so reverse your thoughts and focus on the good things you have in life. Always start your day with a prayer and write down on a Journal your blessings and why you are grateful and start your day on a positive note. Appreciate all the beauty that winter has to offer, go to the park for a stroll and enjoy all the nature around you and how beautiful the snow looks on trees. Once you start setting your mind to positivity you will realize how blessed you are and perhaps if it’s in your heart give back to those in need. Christmas time is time for giving, visit your local homeless shelter or food bank and volunteer to serve others. Research shows that giving makes us happier than receiving.

I truly hope that you will find joy during this winter season and that these tips will help you to get over the winter blues and that you can enjoy your life to the fullest. If you have any more tips please comment below, if you find this useful please share and as always thanks for visiting

.-Mila

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