5 Tips to Fight the Winter Blues
So Puxatony Phil saw his shadow yesterday, which means we have six more weeks of winter in front of us. That pretty much goes without saying anyway here in the Midwest. So given we are only halfway through winter, it can be so discouraging to think about the cold and snowy weather! I’ve always been the one who relishes my time in the warm sunshine and on sandy beaches. Winter for me is something to be tolerated as I try my best to just survive the cold. Beginning in December I count the days until spring is here! So when I stumbled across this post in Vogue somehow last week, it gave me inspiration to change my perspective, as well as the motivation for today’s post.
Think like a Norwegian
Obviously the article I linked to talks about this as a way to fight the winter blues. In places like Norway, Canada, Alaska, and North Dakota it is winter more often than it is summer. For six months of the year, darkness prevails in these regions. The article talks about the concept of “koselig,” which means “cozy” in English. Koeslig is an all-encompassing philosophy that many Norwegians follow in order to survive the winter months. While many Americans complain about the weather in small talk, Norwegians take a completely different approach. They embrace winter for what it is, and they look at the opportunities that winter has to offer. To a Norwegian ‘koeslig’ invokes feelings of warmth and affection. Reading a book by fire or eating a delicious home-cooked meal with friends and family are activities to relish. Activities such as skiing, iceskating, snowboarding, and ice-fishing are what many Norwegians look forward to. And Norwegians dress the part as well! Thick winter coats, sheepskin hats, cashmere sweaters, and wool socks are wardrobe essentials in Norway. To a Norwegian, winter is not something to be endured but it is instead celebrated. How powerful is it to simply change your perspective to make winter seem like something to look forward to?
Wear Bright Colors
It is no secret that wearing bright colors can brighten anyones mood and fight the winter blues. Obviously this is what I am doing in this outfit post. Wear bright colors such as red, yellow, or blue. Or mix them all together with this adorable crazy stripe scarf I got from the Gap. This bright red beanie is sure to lift anyone’s spirit, just by putting it on their head! Mix bright colors with more neutral tones such as beige coat and a black sweater and shoes for a fun look. Fake a good mood with the bright colors you wear, and you’ll find you actually do feel better!
Make a Book and Movie List
One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to cozy up by my fireplace with my robe and my slippers and immerse myself in a good book. On Friday evenings we have movie night with the kids (we actually just finished watching Wonder before I started writing this). Comedies are a great way to lift anyone’s mood. I love watching Saturday Night live by the fire in the winter.
Follow through with Fitness Resolutions
Exercise is always something we need to do more. In the winter it can be so hard so do activities such as running outside. So do a home-based exercise regimen or make it a priority to go to the gym. Set a schedule for exercising. I make an effort to head to the gym to run two to three times a week, as I feel so much better when I do. The natural endorphins created during exercise have been proven to elevate a depressed mood. Try to eat healthier foods. Avoid the carbs and eat more fruits and vegetables (at least two servings of each every day). So do your best to stick by your health and fitness resolutions you made at the beginning of the year!
Associate Yourself with Positive People
Do your best to try to avoid negative people, as they will only bring you down and suffocate you. This couldn’t be more true in the winter when you are spending more time indoors. Spend time with friends and family whom you love and care about. Strike up a conversation with an old friend. Most of all spend time with people who enjoy winter, and the energy created is sure to help you fight the winter blues.
The bottom line is you need to accept winter for what it is, and you will be much happier. Even though winter may not be the greatest season, it has so many positive things to offer! The major holidays of the year are in the winter. There are so many fun winter activities to do in the cold – drinking hot chocolate, snowball fights, or just sitting by the fire. Truthfully I have more fun styling winter-appropriate fashions than I do summer ones. Try and keep a positive outlook on life, and before you know it the winter months will fly by!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
xo | April
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THANK YOU I have been looking for a scarf like that for years since I saw one similar on tv!!!
Isn’t it the cutest Katie? I’m glad you like it!
First of all, your blog is beautiful! I really like it and your pictures as well.
And this post is on time… I’m so sick of winter already haha… The bright colors tip is really good as well, I’ve been wearing greys all winter.
Thank you for the tips 🙂
Thank you Narkis. I appreciate that you read my blog too!
Still trying to fight the winter blues! Loved this post!
I’m also committed to wearing bright colors this winter, and I want a hat like yours! Thanks for the inspiration!!
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I agree with your post on ways of fighting the winter blues, I used to hate winter so much and was always feeling down but now it doesn’t bother me much anymore. I learned to find ways to enjoy winter and I think buying new stylish winter wardrobes helps! Lol I love how you added colourful accessories to spice up your winter outfit❤️
That duffle coat and scarf looks lovely. I wish I could pull off a look like that. I love the way it looks comfortable to wear unlike other bulky winter outfits.
I love your red beanie so much.
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Such great tips! Thankfully it’s never super cold/winter-y here, so it usually isn’t too bad. But love your tips and your outfit is so cute!
Thanks for sharing your post. I thought I was the only one counting down days until spring. Nice outfits, as usual, Marjie
Love the ideas within this post on escaping the winter blues. Great facts and tips on how to stay positive during the cold season. It’s been warm in LA this winter more than its been cold so can’t relate as much, but these can be universal tips too as it relates to life as a whole.
Xoxo
http://www.stylemefancy.com
I like the bright colors too and associating with positive people. I have a really hard time with winter so this is exactly what I need right now!
love ths scarf! As a Canadian, I can assure you that this is exatly how one should dress… except, at this time, it would be several extra layers as we’ve hit some -35C (-31F) colds.
I totally agree!! As much as I am NOT a winter person, living in MI we just have to deal!! I’m trying to stay positive – I always try to wear bright colors too!!
omg i love this haha esp the part about thinking like a norwegian xD
I love all these tips on how to combat the winter blues. This winter has actually been only the second winter that I’ve embraced what the coldness really is. How lucky are we to live in a place with four seasons and experience a little bit of everything?! It’s crazy how a change of perspective can really be a life changer for you. Thank you for writing all of this. I know it’s going to help so many people!
xx Kristina
DearNovemberDays.com
I love the boots! Definitely wearing bright colors in the winter keeps those blues away. 🙂
Loving all these bright colors!
X
Samantha
http://www.thenewyorkblonde.com
Great tips! I live in Wyoming where we usually have long harsh winters. Thank goodness we’ve had a mild winter this year though.
The coat and scarf make a bold statement! I really love how you styled them. I’m so over winter though, but that coat is fabulous
I so very much hate the winter. I live in the south and it isn’t as cold here as it is in other areas, but it’s still too much for me. These are great tips, though, for thinking positive through the winter.
These are some great tips. I like the idea of wearing bold colors. That can definitely lift your mood and make you feel more confident.
I grew up in Ohio and know those winter blues all too well. I love the bright colored clothing idea. It definitely brightened your mood in these photos.
Xo
Jenny
Thesensibleshopaholic.com
Love your ideas to fighting the winter blues! I know Southern California is definitely no where could as Michigan but when the temperatures drop I have a hard time coping! The winter style you are sporting is beautiful! I really identify with the pops of color!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Simple how little pops of color in accessorizing can really brighten up an outfit or a mood. Love the multi-colored scarf and the cute red beanie.
xo Sheree
Posh Classy Mom
Loving these tips – they are going to be so useful for when I head to NYFW in a couple of days!
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I love the thinking like a Norwegian idea! I love winter and the coziness, so this makes so much sense.
I love the idea of creating a movie list and this is definitely something I am going to do for what is left of this winter. I always embrace the cozy vibes and create a Norwegian style winter – you are right it is so helpful & really allows you to embrace winter rather than hate it!
Holly from The Art of Being Holly
https://theartofbeingholly.blogspot.co.uk
Love the outfit! Those bright colors are definitely fighting those Winter blues. Now I need to get myself a hat like yours 😉
I defintely enjoy wearing bright colors year-round. It just puts me in a more cheery mood. I also love cozying up with good book or even listening to an audio book. I recently started re-reading the Harry Potter series.
WOW! I loved those boots! That would be an excellent way for me to get over the winter blues… to walk right out of the door and leave this whining teenagers in the house for a couple of hours to have a grown woman’s moment… loving them!!!!
I love the shoes that you are wearing and the bright colors. In the Pacific Northwest, it’s always gloomy so these tips are perfect.
I love your tips! I’m from Canada and yes it gets so so cold and our winters are far too long. I don’t tend to do to much outdoor stuff because I hate freezing lol but I love the beauty of it! So we do family trips to the mountains and enjoy the views, a little snow tubing and relax. When you break up your trip with a getaway that helps! Plus I have only vibrant winter coats so I really believe that helps! Great tips!
I think wearing the bright clothing would help me the most. Although thinking about good movies coming out and talking about good books I want to read and then reading them would be good too. I am with you looking forward to longer days and summer on the horizon.
I love this! I am going to work on a movie list and am working on my fitness resolution now to prepare for swimsuit weather!!!!
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