7 Ways to Actually Beat the Winter Blues

I love winter... until I don't. Perhaps I'm the only one, but I welcome the cold weather before the holidays. Being able to wear sweatpants and sweatshirts, sitting under blankets, wearing fuzzy socks, having a white Christmas — the list goes on and on.

Until January hits. And then? I want nothing to do with winter.

Every year, I expect to feel differently, but lo and behold, I am sad and mopey when the snow turns to slush, the sky is constantly gray, and the anticipation of the holidays is behind me.

While I can't promise you that these tips will completely solve your winter blues, they may make this season your most enjoyable one yet.

1. Turn off the overhead lights. Winter can be cold and dark, but it can also be cozy and inviting. Norwegians call this "big light off." By using lamps, candles, and string lights instead of harsh ceiling lights, darkness becomes the point, not the problem. Not only will you sleep better, but you'll feel calmer and more grounded. I practice this by turning off all overhead lights after dinner for the remainder of the evening.

   
   

2. Write down 5 things you're looking forward to about winter. It's easy to dwell on how dreary winter can be, but I guarantee there are things you actually enjoy that only happen during this season. Specific soups, your favorite blanket, that show you only watch when it's cold. Prime your brain to notice the good stuff.

   
   

3. Create one small daily ritual. I'm big on the concept of "micro joys" — finding tiny ways to make drab days feel brighter. My favorite thing to do is make a chai tea latte every morning when I sit down to work. I look forward to it, it's soothing and delicious, and it makes my morning so much better. You could light a candle before breakfast or drink tea by the window at 4 pm. Rituals have the power to transform routine into something you look forward to. It doesn't have to be elaborate — just intentional.

   
   

4. Go outside anyway. Many other parts of the world experience colder, darker, snowier, and longer winters than we do. But the Norwegians, for example, don't stay inside — they layer up and go out in it. A 10-minute walk in cold air does more for your mood than you'd expect. We aren't as fragile as we think. Dress properly and experience how refreshing it can feel for yourself.

   
   

5. Eat seasonally and stop fighting it. You may notice yourself craving warm, dense, comforting food right now. This is your body's intelligence telling you what it needs. Embrace it with soups, stews, roasted vegetables, and heartier dishes. Notice how nourished and cozy you feel when you eat this way. Work with winter instead of against it.

   
   

6. Schedule something specifically wintery with another person. Make the cold a reason to celebrate and gather, not an excuse to avoid connection. A candlelit dinner, a movie night, a walk in the snow. Norwegians call this feeling koselig — a coziness you only get when it's dark and cold outside. You can't get it alone.

   
   

7. Put something on the calendar for spring. These tips can transform your winter, but they might not make it your favorite season — and that's okay. Give yourself something to look forward to. Book a trip, plan an event, pick a date. It reminds your brain that this isn't forever, and that makes it easier to be present now!

Want to know more? I got these tips from How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz. It's a fantastic read.