thursday, January 26, 2023

7 Self-Care Tips For
Surviving The Winter

Winter can be rough! Here’s some seasonal depression tips to help you conquer those not so good days.

With the cold winter air & lack of sunlight lately in the city of Toronto, this winter szn has been rough for everyone! It’s certainly hard to find that motivation, or silver lining when outside is so meek & the good days seem so far ahead! BUT, there are ways to cope & gain a new perspective while we both aim to survive these next couple months till spring!

Seasonal depression can we tough. And it effects everyone differently. But there are ways to cope & maintain your current mental status. Today’s post is all about going back to the basics of feeling better 101! It’s time to work up a sweat! Do the things you love! And put yourself first!

Here’s 7 self-care tips to help you survive seasonal depression this winter!

1.) Get Active!

As obvious as this one sounds - It truly does WONDERS to your mind & soul! Of course this can be dependant on the climate your in, or if you have access to a gym, or fitness facilities - but working up a sweat for even 30 minutes, can truly do wonders for your mental health! Even on colder days, a lot of people like to just get out for a walk, which studies have shown can dramatically improve your mental health as well.

Tip: If you’re in a climate that lacks Sun, taking Vitamin D supplements or Vitamins can really help improve your mood as well! That’s one thing I truly recommend!

2.) Listen To Your Favourite Song!

The SEROTONIN ALONE I get from replaying my favourite song - NEEDS to be studied! And I’m sure there’s statistics behind it too, but in my opinion - it truly does help! Having your favourite song on, that gets you in a groove, can really boost your mood to 1 - 100! Whether with headphones on, or through your own best pair of speakers - It
will truly be a VIBE!

3.) Re-Watching You Fav Show / Movie

I heard that re-watching your favourite show can also be formed from the anxiety you have & used as a coping mechanism, BUT I think it just comes from comforting place. Plus, if it’s a show that you’ve previously watched at a good in your life, or bad time, rewatching it might bring up those sentimental moments, which tbh - is another reason to just give it a watch! Try dedicating a certain time in the day, evening, or on the weekend to give yourself some time to watch your favourite show, or movie. Dedicating that time to yourself, enjoying a show you really enjoy can already boost your mood as your making a decision for YOU!

4.) Eating Your Favourite Comfort Meal

Idk about you - but when I’m having a bad day, I know food is going to make up for it. Personally, my comfort food of choice is Caribbean food. More specifically, Jerk Chicken, White Rice with Curry Goat Gravy & Coleslaw. So when the day hasn’t exactly gone my way, I can be found ordering that! Whatever your comfort meal of choice is, it’s perfectly normal to cling!

5.) Discover a New Hobby or Personal Interest You Can
Spend Some Time Doing

This one seems like such a cliché, I know - but it can actually be something that really helps! Recently, i’ve logged back into my Tumblr account, followed some new accounts for inspiration & scrolled on that. Even doing that for ten minutes a day, I felt has really been something I look forward to & can truly make my own. I think if you can find something that you can control, and that is your time to yourself, which is not a task, or a chore, can be really helpful!

6.) Spend Some Time With a Friend That
You Feel Good Around

I can’t lie - spending even 60 minutes with a close friend, can truly remind you life is worth living! But the key is to spend that time with a friend that doesn’t DRAIN ENERGY from you! Spend time with a friend you genuinely feel good around!! It should be a friend you feel comfortable chatting with & talking to if you need to, or just a friend where you enjoy their company. Hopefully when reading this, you’ve already thought of someone.

7.) Find Comfort in Spending Time On Your Own

Although the weather may prevent you from spending a lot of time outside & you feel stuck in monotonous routine of doing the same thing over & over, just like groundhog day, I truly think you can find the importance in spending time by yourself. Personally, before the pandemic, I HATED doing things on my own, or being by myself for too long. But now, especially this month, i’m truly enjoying spending time on my own. It’s not quiet, or boring, or depressing.
It’s finally finding comfort. And I think, as you get older, it’s important to find a type of comfort in your solitude.

And there you have it! Those are my 7 self-care tips for surviving these cold, depressing winter months! Winter can be
a very difficult time for everyone’s mental health. The holidays were such an upper, & now there’s nothing going on. Everyone’s trying to recover from over spending the month before. The constant grey skies & minimal sun does not help either. But, it’s important to continue to take care of your mind & body during this time. It’s possible! There’s just a few extra steps you’ve got to do, to keep yourself on track.

I hope you find motivation & inspiration in today’s post! If you did, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to TWEET me, write me on Facebook, or shoot me a DM on Instagram! Let’s chat!

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