How to Shake Off The Winter Blues

This post contains affiliate links for products I love and think that you too will love. 

Last week I wrote about having a case of the winter blues. I don’t tend to like to feel that way, but it seems inevitable every January. But who wants to feel down? Not me. It’s not really my style. And after I wrote that post I started thinking about how I get myself out of it? How do I shake off the winter blues?

Turn up the Radio and literally shake it off. While my preferred music is currently fangirl Taylor Swift pop and I highly recommend turning Shake It Off on loud and dancing around the kitchen. But whatever your preference is find your favorite tunes and dance it out.

Revamp your wardrobe. I was raised on the adage that when the going gets tough the tough go shopping. I generally hate my winter wardrobe. It’s never warm enough, but I also hate long sleeves and sweaters, so I’m always perplexed as to what to wear in the winter which then puts me in a bad mood. I’ve been using Fabletics to keep me comfortable and stylish this winter and I love that the outfits come already put together so that I don’t have to put any thought into it.

Try a subscription service. I don’t know about you but getting things in the mail is still as exciting to me as it was when I was a kid. My favorite subscription service is Stitch Fix I love getting a box full of clothes picked out just for me. I just signed up for another fix and now that the holidays are over the wait is not nearly as long.

Start an event, like a monthly game night or a weekly rotating dinner with friends. A few years ago my friends and I did a monthly game night and each of us took a turn hosting. It gave us all something to look forward to. I’ve been tossing around doing Sunday Suppers with friends and having different friends over for dinner each week.

Plan for warmer days. I love planning things and now is the time to start thinking about the things you want to do once it’s warm out. We have a little vacation planned for the end of April, plus I want to plan a trip for this summer.

Work out. I know it’s a New Years cliche but exercise does produce endorphins that generally make you happier.

Get out of the house. I know the urge to hibernate is strong. Every day I fight the urge to pull the covers back up over my head and hide in bed till spring. But getting out of the house is necessary and it helps if you have some fun planned. Last Saturday we visited the Academy of Natural Sciences and this weekend we went ice skating at the Blue Cross River Rink in Philadelphia. Find attractions that are local to you and take advantage of them.

Keep your friends close. I made a photo album for my friend for Christmas and noticed that we do so little during the winter months. There are no memories of these times and maybe it’s because we all tend to hang home during these months but this year I want to change that. I want to fill the winter with memories and events. This morning I shook off the winter blues by making plans for wine tastings, beer tastings and a painting class with friends.

Find the joy in winter. Sure it’s cold, sure it’s grey and sure the sun sets entirely too early but think of all the cozy things you can do in the winter. It’s the perfect time of year for getting lost in a book or having a movie marathon, going to the movies or learning a new hobby. Take up a new craft like knitting or work on your photo albums or get working on that novel you dream of writing. Take advantage of the social downtime.

Winter will never be my favorite time of year and every January I will find myself fighting the winter blues. I will never be able to hibernate till spring like my mind really wants me to. But I can do everything in my power to shake off the winter blues and make the best of these months.

How do you shake off the winter blues?