Do you get the winter doldrums?  These ten tips will help you thrive with energy and vitality this winter!

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s common to feel the effects of winter setting in. For many, the cold and dark can lead to low energy, mood changes, and a general sense of winter doldrums.

But what if this season could be an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and even embrace the beauty of winter? With a few mindful adjustments, winter can become a time of cozy rituals, nourishing foods, and uplifting routines that boost both body and spirit. Here are the top ten ways to beat the winter blues and stay energized, joyful, and balanced all season long.

1. Embrace the Season

Don’t dread winter just because it’s colder and darker outside! The light low in the sky creates profound beauty in the winter landscape. Winter has its own quiet beauty, from the soft pastel light in the sky, to the sparkling frost on the bushes, to the coziness of warm blankets, fuzzy socks, and seasonal teas. Find those things that create an inner spark for you while nature is sleeping.

2. Eat Seasonal Foods

Choose nutrient-dense, seasonal foods with root vegetables, squashes, and dark leafy greens. Make nourishing warm soups and stews. Make spicy flavorful teas like chai or apple cinnamon. These hearty, comforting foods support your body’s needs in colder weather and keep you feeling nourished.

3. Keep Blood Sugar Levels Steady

Eating meals on a regular schedule helps to stabilize blood sugar, which plays a big role in maintaining a balanced mood. Avoid spikes and dips by choosing whole foods and balanced meals that keep you feeling steady and energized. A balanced meal has protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.

4. Get Plenty of Protein

Protein-rich foods support your energy, keep you full, and stabilize blood sugar levels, making it easier to stay energized and upbeat during the day. Your neurotransmitters are also made from amino acids so you want to eat an ample supply to make those feel-good neurotransmitters. Each meal and snack should have a protein food.

5. Go Outside for 20 Minutes Each Day

Exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, supports your circadian rhythm of being energetic during the day and sleepy at night. Aim to get outside for at least 20 minutes to lift your mood and beat winter sluggishness. But you need to dress warmly! If you dread going outside because you get cold, you just won’t do it.

6. Keep Up Your Exercise Routine

Staying active boosts your mood and energy levels, so try adapting your workout routine to fit the season. Whether it’s a brisk winter walk or a warm indoor yoga session, moving your body will help shake off winter blues.

7. Have a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Quality sleep is crucial during winter when energy may dip naturally. Create a calming bedtime ritual to unwind, like reading a book, dimming the lights, listening to music, or enjoying a warm herbal tea before bed.

8. Have Comforting Rituals

Incorporate small rituals that bring comfort, such as diffusing essential oils, sipping warm drinks, snuggling up with a cozy blanket or wearing fuzzy socks. These comforting moments can make winter feel warmer and more inviting.

9. Stay Connected with Friends and Family

Social connection is essential for maintaining good spirits, so make time for loved ones. Even a quick call or a short coffee date can brighten your mood and remind you that you’re not alone.

10. Use a Happy Light for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A light therapy lamp, or “happy light,” can help ease symptoms of SAD by simulating natural sunlight. Spend 20-30 minutes a day with this light to help lift your mood and energy levels. Look for at least 10,000 lux light.

Winter doesn’t have to feel like a season to endure—it can be a time to thrive. By embracing its unique rhythms, nourishing your body with wholesome foods, staying active, and creating comforting rituals, you can transform the colder months into a period of rest, renewal, and even joy. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in how you feel, and winter is the perfect opportunity to care for yourself in deeper, more meaningful ways. So, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, sip on a warm tea, and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of winter!

“First snow at my house this morning.  For 30 years, that means wake up and make biscuits, to eat warm with butter and honey and a cup of cocoa.  A little ritual that makes me take more time in the morning, that says ‘slow down and take care’.  It reminds me of the trees and animals who are snuggling in and slowing down, conserving their strength for the spring.”   ~Jennie