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How to Beat the "Winter Blues"
Sometimes it can seem like the winter season goes on forever. The cold, the snow, the frost… it can all become a little overbearing. Especially with the shorter days and cold, dark nights. It is totally normal to become a little bit blue this time of year. There is an actual disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder or otherwise aptly called SAD. If you are feeling this way, then you might be in need of a winter pick-me-up. You have come to the right place because we have compiled a great list of ways to beat the winter blues!
In this list, we will go over a few simple ways to boost your mood and help to put a little more spring in your step! Speaking of spring, there are only 16 more days until it begins! That should be an easy mood booster right there! Just think of those beautiful blossoms and the smell of fresh grass, it is coming in our near future!
If you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, please call a friend, family member or therapist.
Mental health is never something that should be taken lightly and we want you to be safe.
Buy a Tropical Plant
Plants have been proven to boost human moods and productivity as well as create a relaxing environment. When placed in your home, these therapeutic green friends can offer a soothing refuge that can do so much for your general happiness. They help to relieve stress and anxiety, can improve mental health, give you a sense of responsibility and accountability as well as add a beautiful focal point to any room! Some plants can even help to improve the air quality in your home. There are lots of great plant shops in the Ottawa area that can help boost your mood just by visiting! A few of our favourites include Terra Plants and Flowers, Plant & Curio, Flowers Talk Tivoli, or Robert Plante Greenhouses. Most grocery stores and hardware stores should have a limited supply available as well!
Purchasing a tropical plant for your home this time of year is sure to boost your mood and help beat those winter blues! Not sure where to start? Check out our blog post on the top 10 easiest houseplants.
Call an Old Friend and Catch Up
Do you have a long-lost friend who you haven’t reached out to in a while? Perhaps now would be a great time to do so! Catching up with an old friend can bring up so many positive memories to talk and laugh about. It is a great way to think about the good times and focus on happy thoughts. Have a favourite memory with that friend? Why not surprise them by asking if they remember it happening. Bringing up old memories can be a lot of fun and your friend may even remember parts of the story that you forgot. You never know, they may be feeling the winter blues right now as well, and a call from you might just make their day!
Make a Summer Salad
What better way to freshen up your day than with a light and delicious summer salad! The more colours the better! Think strawberries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, even watermelon! All of these delicious fruits will remind you of the brighter summer days. The flavours will be fresh and delicious and they are sure to put you in a good mood. Eating healthy will help to keep your blood sugar stable which in turn can maintain your mood throughout the day. You don’t have to stop with salads, you can employ healthy eating habits into your everyday routine for a great mood-booster! There are so many great benefits to eating healthy, but you already know that. Why not start now! Check out these delicious summer salad recipe ideas!
Have a "Staycation"
Has COVID got you going a little stir crazy? Maybe it’s time to get out of your house for a few days. There really is nothing like a change of scenery to bring your thoughts to a different place. International travel is still on the fritz right now, but staycations are the “in” thing to do now! Plus, you can help support your local businesses when you book a staycation.
Did you know that Ontario residents can actually claim 20% of their accommodations such as a hotel, motel, resort, lodge, bed-and-breakfast, cottage or campground when filing for your 2022 personal income tax return? That’s right! The “Ontario Staycation Tax Credit for 2022” is in full swing, so why not enjoy local accommodation for a weekend to help beat the winter blues and support a small business! Check out these great staycation ideas in the Ottawa area.
Enjoy a Meal at a Fancy Restaurant
Start a New Exercise Routine
We all know that regular exercise is good for us, but do you know what it can help with? Exercise can have a profound impact on depression, and anxiety. It can also help to relieve stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. What better way to beat the winter blues than to do a little bit of exercise! Why not try out a new daily or weekly routine. You can find exercise routines on YouTube for free, or you can pay for various training or workouts as well. If you would rather work out outside of the home, you can join a class at a local gym or even try out yoga! There are so many different types of exercise routines you can choose from. Even going for a quick walk or run outside can immensely help to boost your overall mood!
Get Outside
We know, it’s cold out there. It’s not always the most pleasant experience being outdoors this time of year, but science has proven that spending at least 30 minutes in the sunlight can release serotonin in your brain and make you feel calmer and more focused. Much like exercising, immersing yourself in nature can relieve anxiety, stress and depression. It can also help you sleep better, give you stronger bones and even help lower your blood pressure! Talk about the perfect medicine! You can kill two birds with one stone by getting your exercise in by going for a walk or a run outside.
Do a Course
With the amount of online courses these days, you don’t even need to leave your home to learn a new skill! Have you always wanted to learn how to do calligraphy? Do you have an old camera you’ve always wanted to learn how to use? Why not take a course on a subject that you have been interested in! The winter season is a great time for doing a course since you aren’t missing out on getting your vitamin D during the precious summer days. Websites such as Udemy and Skillshare offer inspiring classes that can teach you the ins and outs of basically whatever subject you can imagine! Now is the time to learn a new skill!
BONUS!
Watch a Funny Movie
When in doubt, you can always cook up some popcorn and throw on a comedy movie. They say that laughter is the best medicine and it really is true. You can’t be unhappy when you are watching something funny. So, why not try a funny movie to help lift your spirits. There are tons of great comedies on the multiple streaming services available at your fingertips! If you are looking for a great comedy movie to watch tonight, check out this list of the funniest movies on Netflix. If you are more of a Prime watcher, check out this list! You are sure to find something that will leave you in stitches!
In conclusion, there are lots of great ways to lift your spirits this time of year. Even just spending some time outdoors or with friends and family can help immensely. We all get a little down when the snow seems to never leave and the temperatures are low. It is totally normal to feel this way and we hope that the things on this list can help you to feel a little happier. Remember, there are only 16 days left until spring!
If making a new home purchase will lift your spirits, we can definitely help with that! The spring market is coming soon, and getting ahead of it might just give you the upper hand as a buyer in this crazy market. Feel free to contact us to start your search today.
Above all, the Susan & Moe Team hopes you are able to enjoy the rest of this winter season and we hope you are getting as excited as we are about spring! To get you into the mood, check out these fun decorating tips for our next exciting season!
