5 Tips to Beat the Winter Blues

Tip #1

Try a Light Therapy Lamp

I love my “Happy Light” from Circadian Optics! Using one of these is my top tip for beating the winter blues, because here in South Dakota, we have a lot of dark, cold days. I like to turn this on while I’m getting ready in the morning or as I sit and read in my cozy chair.

The brightness is adjustable, and the light can rotate so you can use it almost anywhere. Plus, the cord is super long, so you don’t have to worry about being right next to an outlet. I recorded a review video on mine, so if you want to see more of how it works, click here.

Tip #2

Treat Yourself!

One of the best ways to get over the winter blues is to slow down and take time to treat yourself! Making iced coffee (yes, even in the winter!) has become a part of my daily routine, and I love getting to enjoy a treat each morning!

This mug is amazing! It keeps drinks hot or cold all day long, and comes in so many cute colors. It’s also dishwasher safe, and super durable. I use mine almost every day and it hasn’t gotten dented or faded at all. I have a review video for this mug too, so you can see all the features!

Tip #3

Take Vitamin D Supplements

This is a super practical and simple way to improve your mood, especially during the dark days of winter. I’ve taken Vitamin D for the last several years and it has definitely helped with the winter blues.

Amazon has options for different amounts (or IUs) of Vitamin D3, and these ones from Naturewise come in 1000, 2000, or 5000 IUs. Naturewise is a well-known brand, and these softgels are very easy to swallow. They’re a great way to support your health and get a little “sunshine vitamin” in your daily routine. The supplements pictured are the exact ones I use, and we recorded a review to give an overview and show the capsules:

Tip #4

Read!

Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, reading is great winter activity! If you’re looking for something inspiring to read, I highly recommend Get Out of Your Head and Finding Quiet. They’re both so encouraging, practical, and relatable.

Learning new things is another great way to beat the winter blues, and The Road Back to You is a great book to learn more about the Enneagram! Click here to find my favorite books and resources for learning about the Enneagram:

Fiction books are perfect for cozy winter days too! These are a few of my favorites:

• The Dating Charade is a sweet winter rom-com!
• Secrets of a Charmed Life is a captivating novel that rotates between present time and history to tie together the character’s lives.
• The Glenbrooke Series by Robin Jones Gunn, who is one of my favorite authors.
• The Book of Lost Names is a historical fiction that will keep you reading until the last page!

For more cozy book recommendations, check out this post: 5 Cozy Romance Novels You Need to Read This Holiday Season

This cute plant makes any reading nook feel extra cozy!

Tip #5

Embrace Everything Cozy

When it’s cold and dark outside, one of my favorite things to do is work on a puzzle! You could even bring your Swig mug and turn on a Light Therapy Lamp to make it extra cozy! ;)

Even if puzzles aren’t your thing, adding a warm blanket or lighting scented candles can instantly make your home feel cozy and warm. Embrace these winter months as a time to slow down and enjoy simple things like a warm cup of coffee and a good book.

If you do want a cozy puzzle, this one from Ravensburger is super fun! It’s high quality, and 500 pieces is a great size to put together on a cold winter weekend.