Beating the Winter Blues: How to Stay Cheery When It’s Chilly Outside
With the recent bout of awful weather we’ve seen across the US, it seems the “winter blues” are starting to set in just about everywhere. (Yup, you’re not the only one who let out a triumphant yell when the groundhog didn’t see his shadow yesterday. 6 more weeks of winter? No thanks!)
But while “the winter blues” may not be a medical term, the phenomenon is very real: Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is the scourge of citizens from the freezing-cold Pacific Northwest to the foggy East coast during these dreary winter months. Extended periods of time without sunshine and warmth can make you feel depressed, fatigued, and irritable. The symptoms of SAD are both psychological and physiological; your mind and body are affected by dragging winter weather.
While the obvious solutions seem to include relocating to a warmer climate or spending a vacation in paradise, let’s face it: Most of us don’t have the financial flexibility to jet off to an island whenever we want. So instead, here are a few easy, budget-friendly ways to banish your winter blues and stay cheery, despite the chilly weather.
1. Create Your Own Oasis.
If you can’t make it to an actual beach, why not make one yourself? It could actually make a huge difference in your mood.
Research suggests that much of Seasonal Affective Disorder lies within your perception of your predicament, and all it may take to get you feeling like yourself is a change of scenery. Thus, faking a beachy atmosphere can actually do wonders for your mindset and save you the cost of taking a real vacation. So cank the heat in your apartment, spritz on some coconut oil, blast the Bob Marley, and bust out the margaritas with your girlfriends.
More of a jock than a party girl? Swimming laps can also help ease your winter woes – chlorine smells of summer, and the exercise will release plenty of mood-boosting endorphins.
2. Soak Up Some (Fake) Rays.
Those SAD-sufferers in favor of indoor tanning probably already indulge in some UV light from time to time. However, it’s not necessary to fry your skin to achieve the look and uplifting feeling you crave.
As you guys probably know, self-tanners, which use sugar alcohols to give skin a golden tone, have come a long way since they debuted. Gone are the smelly, streaky, orangey formulas of yesteryear – today’s best self-tanning products look totally natural and last for days. Formulas range from creamy lotions to lightweight foams, and are available in a variety of shades.
Need some help finding the perfect sunless tanning product and applying it right? Check out our guide to the best self-tanners.
3. Get Thee Some D.
Vitamin D, that is! This sunshine vitamin, largely responsible for energy levels and healthy bones, is almost always lacking in individuals that live in areas where sunny days are infrequent. Vitamin D deficiency is often linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder as well.
Fortunately, it’s easier than you think to get more D. Supplements are available in a variety of dosages, so you’ll be able to support your system with the amount you choose. In addition, many foods contain significant amounts of vitamin D – among them are salmon and many dairy products.
That said, the best source of Vitamin D is the sun itself, so consider spending a bit more time outside once it’s warmer for a boost, in addition to supplements. Even 15 minutes a week of solid sun exposure can make a difference in your mood. Just make sure to keep at least one area of your body (like your hands, for example) exposed and sunscreen-free to make sure you aren’t blocking the rays. (Yes, this is the only time you’ll see us advocate NOT wearing sunblock!)
4. Shop for Spring
Sweater – Forever 21.
Seeing Spring’s palette of fresh colors and prints on everything from mini-skirts to bikinis always gives me a terrible case of cabin fever! It’s definitely tough to look at all the cute spring clothes in your favorite stores while it’s negative five degrees outside. But while many Spring fashions are too skimpy to wear before the official first day of the season (March 21), that’s no reason you can’t do a little shopping now.
Simply buying a versatile piece in a hot spring color that you can wear for the remainder of winter can help satiate your shopping appetite AND make you feel happier right now. Cardigans, basic tees, and gauzy scarves in shades like hot pink and bright orange can all be layered now, then worn alone in warmer months.
What do you think?
Personally, a (safe and self-applied) tan, a bright pedicure, a fruity drink, and a hot tub are my favorite ways to say goodbye to bad feelings due to absent rays. Now I want to hear yours!
What methods do you use to keep a sunny outlook? Have you recently purchased an article of clothing in anticipation of spring? Are you looking forward to Spring Break already as much as I am? Make sure to leave a comment – I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Posted on on February 3, 2011 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Happiness, Life, Mood, seasonal depression, Spring, Winter, winter blues
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Sam
I just want to point out that the information about vitamin D is incorrect. Anyone living in the northern US will not be able to get enough vitamin D from the sun until summer. You also need at least 15 minutes (more if you’re not super pale) twice a week. You also need a good portion of your body uncovered (much more than your hands) to soak up enough sun. Basically, supplements are the way to go!
Lynne
Love all of your tips! At home, i call my house the Greenhouse; it’s covered in windows on all four sides! In dreary dorms, however, it can be hard to get enough sunlight. Also, I completely agree with bright pedicures and hot tubs [;
Zephyr - CF Editor
Sam – Sorry about that – I think the way I edited this made that part unclear. I definitely didn’t mean to insinuate that sun exposure in winter was a replacement for supplements! Thanks for the info.
lauren @ lapetitefashionista
As a FL girl soon to be living in Wisconsin I really appreciated this article! I’ve already been planning on giving parts of my house a beachy, florida ibe w/ scented candles & lots of bob marley playlists.. im liking the margarita idea as well ;)
Abbigail
I cannot thank you enough for this article! I seriously thought I was suffering from depression the last few couple of weeks but I now realize it is most definitely SAD. This article has inspired me to completely clean my room, redecorate, and start planning my outfits for summer vacation! Although I live in Massachusetts and we just had ANOTHER huge snow storm two days ago, I can’t wait for spring!
Abbigail
I cannot thank you enough for this article! I seriously thought I was suffering from depression the last couple of weeks but I now realize it is most definitely SAD. This article has inspired me to completely clean my room, redecorate, and start planning my outfits for summer vacation! Although I live in Massachusetts and we just had ANOTHER huge snow storm two days ago, I can’t wait for spring! Thank you so so so much!
Sarah
This article has lots of cute ideas for beating the winter blues! However, you should never take vitamin supplements without first consulting your doctor to see if you actually have a deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which means that it is stored in the body, so even the small amount you get from the sun and food during the chilly months can go along way. Unnecessary supplementation can lead to toxicity symptoms so make sure you talk to your GP first! :)
Courtney - University of Idaho
Thanks for the heads up, Sarah. Talking to a doc before taking any supplement is always a smart idea.
And thank you to everyone for all the great feedback! Although we (luckily) haven’t been hit with the latest slew of bad weather that seems to be affecting the rest of the country, North Idaho’s winter can seem endless…a couple years ago, we had snow – on JUNE 1st. Hopefully you girls can benefit from some of these ideas til it warms up where you live! :)
DG
I really love this article! But I did see where u started off saying the GroundHog didnt see his shadow and that means 6 more weeks of winter but that ISNT true. When He doesnt see his shadow that means spring is coming early.
Milana
Really great tips! I definitely need something to pick me up in this grey, cold weather, so thanks :)
CA
I like to put on Sublime and light up some incense. :)
L Feeney
I think the best advice for dealing with the winter-time blues is to be awake while the sun is up.
This may sound silly, but often university students end up sleeping in until 10 or 11, missing a lot of the winter’s limited sunny hours, and spending more time awake late into the night using artificial lighting (I know I did when I was younger). By adjusting your sleep cycle to an early rising pattern you’ll get the benefit of more hours of sunlight, even if you’re enjoying them from inside the library.
Andrea
Thank you for promoting alternatives to tanning such as self-tanners. So many girls are still misinformed about the dangers and actually believe the false claims the tanning industry promotes. Thanks for the refreshing tips! I have already began spring shopping–favourite shopping season of the year.
Ama
haha i personally have SAD, both the disorder(as you put it) and the emotion when it gets to the cold months. i HATE the cold
Kayla Ann
Winter is the worst time ever. Some ways I cheers myself up are:
1) buy bright color clothes to wear in the spring
2) shopping
3) turn on a lot of the lights to make it look like its sunny
4) drinking summer drinks like lemonade (my favorite thing to do)