Battling the Winter Blues
On a dark Monday recently, when I wrote about craving comfort, a lot of you wrote to say you were in the throes of the winter blues. Listen, I feel you. It’s the darkest month, the muse for many a depressing song, winter show no signs of giving up, and there’s not a worthy holiday in sight (Valentine’s so does not count). If anyone ever told me February was their favorite month, I would seriously consider whether they had a heart of ice.
I thought that we could come up with a master list of ways to mitigate–maybe even cure–the winter blues. I’ll start, and then as you add what you do in the comments, I’ll add them to the post. Sound like a plan? Okay, here goes:
Get outside, especially on sunny days. My friend Alison and I still laugh about the time I called my mom midwinter a few years ago and said I was feeling blue. Her advice: “Go outside and let the sun shine directly into your eyes.” Don’t give yourself a cataract or anything, but I will confess that as I write this, the afternoon sun is coming through the coffeeshop window, strong and unblinking, and just about blinding me. It is a very welcome bout of sunshine. And, come to think of it, I’m not even outside.
Do something with your hands. This could be as simple as pasting your recipe tear-outs into a notebook or pulling out a coloring book (how’s that for some regressive fun?), or as crafty as knitting or sewing. But let your hands be hands and you might be able to tune out whatever you bluish brain is saying.
Exercise, especially with other people. If you belong to a gym, go to one of the classes. Sometimes the sense of camaraderie in a kickboxing class can feel surprisingly wonderful as you are sweating and grunting your cares away together. Or invite a friend for a neighborhood walk instead of cozying up in a coffeeshop.
Listen to This American Life. Wonderful stories of other people’s lives will get you off focusing on yours. While you are listening, get your hands busy (see #2).
Remember what’s important to you. Sometimes what gets me down is when I’m not including enough of what really matters to me in my day to day life. For example, weeks can go by without going to the farmer’s market or talking to one of my best friends. Sit down and write a list of what’s important to you (going to yoga, writing letters, meeting new people, good coffee) and make sure you include at least one thing each day.
Bake some bread. Is there anything more elemental and life-affirming? Something about kneading, punching down, letting it rise, starting with foamy yeast and ending with something to dunk in your soup. It’s the best, and something I realize I haven’t done in years.
Clean the bathroom. Or the kitchen, or your closet. Just clean something. You start with a mess, and you end with a space of calm organization. And I’m not just talking about the thing you just cleaned.
What else? Let’s make this the best, most comprehensive “beat the blues” list out there.
a cleaning/organizing binge –Dana McCauley
I would say baking of any sort, although this depends whether you are the sort of person who eats everything you’ve just baked in one sitting and then feels guilty about it (like me). Sending a letter or a post card, if only in the hope of receiving one in return. There is nothing better than something cheery on the postmat. Putting crazy music on and doing wacky dancing around the kitchen. Befriending someone with a pet so you can take a turn in cuddling it. Probably best not just to pick up some random’s dog in a park though. Much like cleaning, I find filing things relaxing - especially if you have nice stationery. Putting fresh sheets on the bed and then getting in at 7:30pm with a really good book. Perfect! –Joy
Wellbutrin. –mamacita
I bake (and mail things to my faraway friends) or cozy up with a guilty pleasure book (cough Twilight cough). Lately I’m printing out all the recipes I emailed myself in the last year so I don’t forget about them. –Adrienne
I meet with friends on Monday nights to crochet and sometimes we grab dinner after. That and book club help me through my winter blues. Also, a small get together here and there - I’m looking forward to having my brother, his wife, my niece and nephew over this Friday. I will be feeding them butternut squash bisque, which in itself can cure winter blues =) –Vanessa
Even in LA, we’re having a bout of dreary rain so my thoughts are popcorn and a good movie. Or a marathon of a girly TV season. I just did gossip girl and got hooked! Makes me dream of New York. Also- I bring the extras of what I bake to work the next day and get plenty of “oohs” and “yums” and that is always good for a pick-me-up too! –Claire
I believe that martinis with stuffed olives and good red wine served out of regular juice glasses cure just about anything. But, since I’m pregnant, I have to find alternative curatives. This weekend I redid our bedroom. We bought real, grownup bedding (look ma, it matches!) for the first time ever, moved stuff around, cleaned, snapped the new bedding on and voila, insta-mood lifter! I read cookbooks to get happy. Is that weird? This weekend I also wrote out our Valentine’s Day cards and sent them, that got me happy too! –Sara Rose
At the beginning of winter I bought the warmest coat, boots and mitts possible and decided to get outside more often! a couple weeks ago my better half and I went to his cottage up in the canadian wilderness muskokas and spent the weekend with roaring fires, wine, homemade chili and a full day of tabogganing and strolling on the frozen lake. It was stunning! –rachael speirs
My husband and I go to trivia nite at a local bar every Monday. Regardless of how well (or poorly) we do, we have the whole week to look forward to sitting together, drinking beers, and tackling tough questions. –Kristina
Getting busy in the kitchen, whether knocking out a batch of scones or cooking up a big pot of soup always helps to raise my spirits (like most other people who have contributed!). There’s definitely something about getting stuck in with your hands that is just so satisfying, so anything involving dough is a good idea. And I know it might be a bit British, but really nothing beats a good cup of tea, a biscuit, and a blether (translation: a chat with a friend) to cheer me up. –Kate
I find pulling on my toque and gum boots and heading to the beach for a walk on a nice day is a guaranteed mood lifter. Or on a not so nice west coast day there’s nothing cozier than curling up indoors with a knitting project and cup of tea for a bit of winter storm watching! –Nichola
Find your local botanical garden that has a conservatory with a rainforest room, pack a nalgene with coconut rum and pineapple juice, get some friends together, and hang out in the hot moistness discretely sipping on the lazy woman’s pina colada. (In DC at least, the greenhouses are free.) Voila, recessionist tropical holiday. –M.
This is the list I’ve been making in my head, and it is so great to see everyone’s contribution. Mine? Even to me, it sounds looney, but blogging really helps me: keeping (more or less) to a routine; expressing myself in a hopefully creative way; and feeling a sense of community: all of these make the sensory isolation of winter easier to take, for me. –Paige
I just wrote a list of cures for the same thing! Indulging yourself in the most decadent way possible works for me, with exercise and family thrown in the mix. And always remembering how blessed I am. –DD
Or… you could browse through a wonderful coffee table book filled with gorgeous ‘blue’ and white combo’s you find in Greece and the Mediterranean region! Now that’s taking blue to another level….yes? –Brenda Colleen Leyland
I agree with your point about the sunlight, all I want to do at this time of year is curl up, drink tea and knit. But after a whole day of that I normally end up feeling pretty grotty, so assuming it’s not bucketing down I make a point of getting out. I think the best way to beat the blues is to go to your local veg shop and stock up on whatever you can get; plan lots of meals round soup or roastie veg and stock up on all the vitamins your body’s craving. –Bridget
How funny, my significant other and I just went to trivia on Saturday and decided to try to make it a regular thing. For me, routines bring comfort and something to bring spark to your week. This winter we have become regulars at a local diner. I can’t tell you how sweet it feels when Helen remembers us from last week. –Rae
1) make the effort to get in touch with friends/family. Write, phone, email, social network, whatever - just reach out! It is frighteningly easy to cut yourself off from the world when you’re in the grip of the winter blues, but I find I always feel better just knowing my favourite people are still out there. 2) Good food and wine - it’s a tried and tested formula! 3) A change is as good as a rest. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut during winter. Book some time out to take a break from your routine for a day or two. Now I realise I’m in a priveleged position of actually HAVING a job to take time off from in the first place, but I find that taking a few day’s annual leave sometime in late January/early February is a godsend. I spend it catching up with sewing/making projects, seeing people I don’t always see, visiting random towns,and generally doing things I don’t seem to find time for during my normal 9-5 week. I should probably put something here about taking your own advice too, because, try as I might, I still find winter rather trying; my idea of a successful winter surviving through to mid March!! –Julia
I’ve been feeling the winter blues too. Love all of these ideas. Right now, I am all about flowers. –Lisa
Dana McCauley: I have been on a cleaning/organizing binge lately - you’re right, it does make the winter seem a little more productive and useful.1 year ago
Joy: Great post Sarah - exactly what we all need. I would say baking of any sort, although this depends whether you are the sort of person who eats everything you’ve just baked in one sitting and then feels guilty about it (like me). Sending a letter or a post card, if only in the hope of receiving one in return. There is nothing better than something cheery on the postmat. Putting crazy music on and doing wacky dancing around the kitchen. Befriending someone with a pet so you can take a turn in cuddling it. Probably best not just to pick up some random’s dog in a park though. Much like cleaning, I find filing things relaxing - especially if you have nice stationery. Putting fresh sheets on the bed and then getting in at 7:30pm with a really good book. Perfect!1 year ago
mamacita: Wellbutrin.1 year ago
Sarah: @Joy, you could always giveaway baked goods that you can’t keep around. Saturday night I sent my friend home with all the leftover chocolate chip cookies we made — what a relief!
@mamacita, this gave me a good laugh. yeah, any SSRIs will help out.
1 year ago
Adrienne: I’m with joy - I bake (and mail things to my faraway friends) or cozy up with a guilty pleasure book (cough Twilight cough).
Lately I’m printing out all the recipes I emailed myself in the last year so I don’t forget about them.1 year ago
Vanessa: I meet with friends on Monday nights to crochet and sometimes we grab dinner after. That and book club help me through my winter blues. Also, a small get together here and there - I’m looking forward to having my brother, his wife, my niece and nephew over this Friday. I will be feeding them butternut squash bisque, which in itself can cure winter blues =)1 year ago
Claire: What a great list.
Even in LA, we’re having a bout of dreary rain so my thoughts are popcorn and a good movie. Or a marathon of a girly TV season. I just did gossip girl and got hooked! Makes me dream of New York.
Also- I bring the extras of what I bake to work the next day and get plenty of “oohs” and “yums” and that is always good for a pick-me-up too!1 year ago
Sara Rose: I believe that martinis with stuffed olives and good red wine served out of regular juice glasses cure just about anything. But, since I’m pregnant, I have to find alternative curatives. This weekend I redid our bedroom. We bought real, grownup bedding (look ma, it matches!) for the first time ever, moved stuff around, cleaned, snapped the new bedding on and voila, insta-mood lifter! I read cookbooks to get happy. Is that weird? This weekend I also wrote out our Valentine’s Day cards and sent them, that got me happy too!1 year ago
Sarah: Vanessa, I think we need that butternut squash bisque recipe!1 year ago
rachael speirs: At the beginning of winter I bought the warmest coat, boots and mitts possible and decided to get outside more often!
a couple weeks ago my better half and I went to his cottage up in the canadian wilderness muskokas and spent the weekend with roaring fires, wine, homemade chili and a full day of tabogganing and strolling on the frozen lake. It was stunning!1 year ago
Kristina: My husband and I go to trivia nite at a local bar every Monday. Regardless of how well (or poorly) we do, we have the whole week to look forward to sitting together, drinking beers, and tackling tough questions.1 year ago
Kate: Getting busy in the kitchen, whether knocking out a batch of scones or cooking up a big pot of soup always helps to raise my spirits (like most other people who have contributed!). There’s definitely something about getting stuck in with your hands that is just so satisfying, so anything involving dough is a good idea. And I know it might be a bit British, but really nothing beats a good cup of tea, a biscuit, and a blether (translation: a chat with a friend) to cheer me up.1 year ago
Nichola: I find pulling on my toque and gum boots and heading to the beach for a walk on a nice day is a guaranteed mood lifter. Or on a not so nice west coast day there’s nothing cozier than curling up indoors with a knitting project and cup of tea for a bit of winter storm watching!1 year ago
Sarah: love the trivia night idea! and “blether” is officially my new favorite word.1 year ago
rachael: p.s
I am newly in love with this show and hunker down and avoid the cold while dreaming of new eco friendly decor ideas
http://www.hgtv.ca/puredesign/1 year ago
M.: Find your local botanical garden that has a conservatory with a rainforest room, pack a nalgene with coconut rum and pineapple juice, get some friends together, and hang out in the hot moistness discretely sipping on the lazy woman’s pina colada. (In DC at least, the greenhouses are free.) Voila, recessionist tropical holiday.1 year ago
Paige: This is the list I’ve been making in my head, and it is so great to see everyone’s contribution. Mine? Even to me, it sounds looney, but blogging really helps me: keeping (more or less) to a routine; expressing myself in a hopefully creative way; and feeling a sense of community: all of these make the sensory isolation of winter easier to take, for me.1 year ago
DD: I just wrote a list of cures for the same thing! Indulging yourself in the most decadent way possible works for me, with exercise and family thrown in the mix. And always remembering how blessed I am.1 year ago
Brenda Colleen Leyland: Or… you could browse through a wonderful coffee table book filled with gorgeous ‘blue’ and white combo’s you find in Greece and the Mediterranean region!
Now that’s taking blue to another level….yes?1 year ago
Bridget: I agree with your point about the sunlight, all I want to do at this time of year is curl up, drink tea and knit. But after a whole day of that I normally end up feeling pretty grotty, so assuming it’s not bucketing down I make a point of getting out. I think the best way to beat the blues is to go to your local veg shop and stock up on whatever you can get; plan lots of meals round soup or roastie veg and stock up on all the vitamins your body’s craving.1 year ago
Rae: How funny, my significant other and I just went to trivia on Saturday and decided to try to make it a regular thing. For me, routines bring comfort and something to bring spark to your week. This winter we have become regulars at a local diner. I can’t tell you how sweet it feels when Helen remembers us from last week.1 year ago
Anastasia: To this lovely list I would add: help out anyone who needs it! I think volunteering (or even just giving a friend a lift) is a great way to push through those winter blues.1 year ago
Julia: What a great idea for a post Sarah! I love the concept of your readers contributing their ideas too. So here are mine: 1) make the effort to get in touch with friends/family. Write, phone, email, social network, whatever - just reach out! It is frighteningly easy to cut yourself off from the world when you’re in the grip of the winter blues, but I find I always feel better just knowing my favourite people are still out there. 2) Good food and wine - it’s a tried and tested formula! 3) A change is as good as a rest. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut during winter. Book some time out to take a break from your routine for a day or two. Now I realise I’m in a priveleged position of actually HAVING a job to take time off from in the first place, but I find that taking a few day’s annual leave sometime in late January/early February is a godsend. I spend it catching up with sewing/making projects, seeing people I don’t always see, visiting random towns,and generally doing things I don’t seem to find time for during my normal 9-5 week.
I should probably put something here about taking your own advice too, because, try as I might, I still find winter rather trying; my idea of a successful winter surviving through to mid March!!
Thanks for the post Sarah, and as my Nana would have said, ‘keep your pecker up!’ (not as rude as it sounds, I promise!)1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): I’ve been feeling the winter blues too. Love all of these ideas.
Right now, I am all about flowers: http://adinnerparty.blogspot.com/2009/02/be-happy-buy-flowers.html1 year ago
mk: What a great post! I just got back from kickboxing and I am moving on to origami now.1 year ago
Linda: I have trouble with February too but what gives me a lift of my heart is when I see the weather in the evening and they tell me that there are three more minutes of sunlight every day. It gets me to thinking of those long summer days.1 year ago
Sarah C: Snuggling with my kitties, dressing up for work (the compliments work wonders - you never realize how many people DO know you exist!), checking items off a to-do list - even if it’s short and full of easy things, cranking the music in the car and rocking out, volunteering at the local animal shelter (please spay or neuter - there aren’t enough homes for everybody!), talking to my mom1 year ago
Sarah: I just have to say: everytime I see the picture for this post, it cracks me up.1 year ago
Jennifer Sharkey: I just have to say…thanks so much for these great ideas. These ideas are so simple but they make so much sense! Moving from Hawaii to New York I get some serious winter blues…the depression is totally crippling sometimes. And these suggestions are really ringing-true right now. I figured out the sunshine thing on my own but…baking bread? What a wonderful idea. It’s so obvious but somehow I never thought of it. So thanks for the very practical ideas–I will definitely be trying some of these out during this (hopefully!) last burst of cold weather!1 year ago