Are you determined to have a happy, cosy & enjoyable winter? My intention is for you to implement some of these tips and habits so that you can well and truly beat the winter blues and achieve a happy, cosy & enjoyable winter. If you are a fellow summer lover like me who also wants to enjoy the wintertime, you’re going to want to read this post. If you are unable to escape to a tropical, warm paradise this winter, this post is also for you!
An activity to do before you dive into this blog post.
Journal Prompt: What is my motivating factor for being happy this winter?
Why do I want to be happy this winter?
Writing this down and having it in your mind can help you beat the winter blues as you make the effort to make yourself feel more happy this winter!
“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”
— Anton Chekhov
Here are 10 practical ways that you can beat the winter blues and stay happy this winter.
1. Get Outside and Soak Up The Sunshine
It’s a no-brainer that getting outside and getting your daily dose of vitamin D is a sure way to beat the winter blues. But, sometimes you don’t feel like going outside because it’s too cold and it’s cozier inside.
Bring the coyness with you. Yep. As the Norwegian saying goes, there’s no bad weather only bad clothes. Grab your beanies, scarf, fuzzy socks and boots and head out the door.
Bring your journal with you and journal outside in the sunshine. Bring a yummy warm beverage with you too. Sweetened hot cacao is a great idea. Here is a heavenly rich and creamy hot chocolate recipe.
Some fun outdoor activities that you can do in the winter include walking, skiing and having an outdoor campfire.
Overall, it will be easier to get outside daily once you make it a habit in your routine. Further, make your daily outing something that you look forward to.
Reminder: Going outside, breathing in fresh air and sunshine are so beneficial for your mental health and well-being.
Lastly, take advantage of the lack of heat and do the outdoor chores you have been meaning to get to, but haven’t because it’s been too hot. For example, working on your garden.
2. Maintain a Consistent Exercise Routine
Keeping active during the winter is a great way to keep yourself healthy not only physically but mentally & emotionally.
It can sometimes feel more comfortable to keep all warm & cosy and stay in your bed and watch a movie. But, don’t forget to balance that with moving your body in the winter to beat the winter blues.
Some fun winter exercises you can do include, stretching, yoga, pilates, walking, ice-skating, rollerblading and going to the gym. Check out my Best Free Workout YouTube Channels Blog post for free workouts that you can do to beat the winter blues.
Lastly, you’re not always going to feel like working out and that’s okay. My best tip to help you stay motivated during the winter is to remember the insight from the photo below.
Remembering this insight always helps to remind me to do the thing. Rather than waiting until I feel like it, to do the thing.
The more you get into the practice of doing something regularly, the more it becomes a habit. Thus, you have less resistance to doing the thing or it can become easier for you to overcome the resistance.
“Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.” – James Clear
An additional tip to help you stay motivated to move your body daily during the winter is to try something new.
Try out a physical activity-based class that you have never done before. Working out doesn’t have to be boring, it gets to be fun. Some activities you may like to try for the first time if you haven’t already: Zumba, pole dancing, run club, aerial/ hoop class and a beach group workout. Invite your friends to come along and join you.
3. Create an Enjoyable Morning and Evening Routine
Create a winter morning and evening routine to beat the winter blues. Switch things up for the new season.
Try some different things than what you usually do. Having a winter morning and evening routine can help you romanticise your day, thus the winter time more. Further, to romanticise to me is to make something ordinary feel more special or enjoyable. Not only can it be a physical action but also your mindset & energy behind the action.
Change your Viewpoint, change your life.
– From my Free Daily Self-Empowerment Reminders eBook.
Adjusting your perception about the wintertime can help you beat the winter blues.
Simple winter morning routine ideas:
- Do a morning check-in. How are you feeling today? What would make today great?
- Intention setting
- Wake up and go for a walk outside
- Dance to music
- Move your body/exercise
- Practise gratitude for being healthy, safe, warm and alive
- Write in your journal your goals, dreams, thoughts and feelings
- Listen to a podcast
- Add warm lights & lamps to your house to turn on in the morning
- Light a candle, incense or turn on your aroma diffuser
- Go to the beach for a walk
- Create and play a winter morning music playlist
- Calming meditation and breathing
- Skincare routine, apply lip balm
- Have a warm, nourishing breakfast and delicious warm drink that you look forward to
simple winter night time routine ideas:
- Wind down with a yummy drink. This Bengal Spice Tea is soo yummy!
- Move your body. Go on afternoon walk
- Stretch
- Read a book before bed
- Play some calming binaural beats for sleep
- Write in your Journal
- Reflect on what went well that day and what you want to achieve tomorrow
- Plan your success map (To-dos) for tomorrow
- Say thank you for today (Practise gratitude)
- Have a warm, relaxing bath
- Listen to a guided meditation
- Apply your skin-care routine, hair oil and body lotions
- Play a board game with your friends or family
- Share a delicious meal with your family and/or friends
- Aromatherapy. Apply essential oils. Turn on an aroma essential oil diffuser. Light some candles
4. Nurture Your Relationships and Social Connections
Of course, keeping in touch with your quality friends can help bring you more happiness and social well-being during the winter.
Additionally, I believe that it’s also nice to have less going on in the wintertime. Allow yourself to feel guilt-free for saying no more to going out if you would rather stay home. In saying that, when you simply just feel like a night at home, invite a friend over for homemade dinner, wine, tea and chats or a baking day to boost your happiness.
Winter can be a great time for staying home, making slow-cooked dinners and sharing them in great company. Make the most of the cosiness and the wanting to stay home vibe of the season.
Further, another idea is to have a Facetime or phone call with a friend/family on your walk or while you cook dinner. Create a healthy balance your way of honouring your need for social connection and your need for solitude during the wintertime.
Additionally, when you do feel like going out, take advantage of live music and going out dancing to keep you active and social during the wintertime.
When I lived in Europe for 2 winters, time with friends, sharing dinner & wine and going out dancing definitely helped me beat the winter blues. Even when I could have stayed home, many times I chose to get out of my comfort zone and say yes to dinner with a friend or go out dancing. Most of the time, it did add to my happiness and zest for life.
Therefore, honour the importance of staying connected to your friends, relationships and family during the winter to beat the winter blues & increase your happiness.
5. Engage in Hobbies and Creative Pursuits
Keep your passion alive during the winter. What is it that lights you up?
Engage in your hobbies and creative projects & pursuits during the winter. Since, you do feel more inclined to stay inside during the wintertime, make use of this time by putting in the work towards your projects that you’ve been wanting to complete. You know the ones that you have been too busy to complete because you’re never home? Go for it. Use this winter quarter to complete a project that you’ve always wanted to!
Some winter-at-home project ideas include starting your own business, redecorating your room, finishing books you have always wanted to read, making a vision board for your room or laptop, decluttering your old stuff, completing a kichari cleanse or getting on top of your life admin and finances.
Overall, engage in hobbies that you’re passionate about. Maybe it’s DJing, taking photos, baking, creating content, writing or painting. Go for it!
Focusing on your hobbies & creative pursuits can support your happiness, keep you occupied and navigate you away from the winter blues.
6. Prioritize Self-Care and Comfort
Make use of this winter season to stay on top of your self-care routine.
Create a self-care routine that makes you feel good.
Rest when you need to!
Additionally, incorporate hygge into your life and home. Hygge can be described as embracing the feeling of cosiness, relaxing and enjoying life’s quieter pleasures with yourself and your loved ones. Hyyge is about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and enjoying the good things with good people.
Try appreciating the essence of winter. A time when you get to embrace cosiness, slowing down and comfort more to beat the winter blues.
Ways that you incorporate hygge into your life during the winter:
Decorate your home with more cosy blankets, lights, and winter candles.
Buy a new book for the winter
Make a winter bucket list
Try out some new recipes
Wear thick, fuzzy socks
Spend quality time with your friends and family
Watch a cosy winter movie
Have a wine or hot cocoa and painting date with your love or friends
Share a comforting meal with your family and friends
Have a campfire dinner and chats with your loved ones
Take more baths and use Epsom salts, natural bath bombs or luxurious bath oils
7. Maintain a Balanced and Heart-Warming Diet
Maintain a diet that makes you feel good, that is comforting but also healthy & balanced.
Healthy, balanced meals can also be comforting and make you feel good! Further, maintaining a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients can help you keep your immunity up during the winter.
Mood-boosting foods that you can eat this winter to beat the winter blues:
- spinach
- avocado
- citrus fruits
- salmon
- sweet potatoes
- walnuts
- cashews
- dark chocolate
- cinnamon
Balanced Winter Meal Ideas For You to Try
- Savoury mince with soft polenta
- Porridge, lots of ways
- Omelette
- Roasted Chicken And Vegetables
- Healthy Sticky Date Pudding
- Lentil Soup
8. Go on a Road Trip- Winter Activities
During the wintertime, why not go on a winter road trip on your days off or the weekend? Take all your warm & cozys with you and explore a new place that you haven’t been to before.
Some of the best winter activity ideas:
Go to an ice skating rink
Have a movie marathon
Go on a coffee/ matcha date
Plan a trip to the snow
Go skiing or snowboarding
Make a scrapbook/ photo album of your special memories
Bowling and the arcade
Go on a winter hike
Have a campfire with family and friends. Stargaze
Host a sleepover party
Read a good book or listen to an audiobook!
9. Plan Something to Look Forward to
Plan something that you can look forward to after the winter season is over. This can help remind you that winter won’t last forever!
Just like it won’t be summer forever. Plan for future activities that you would love to do this upcoming spring and summer.
Additionally, try setting goals that you can start taking action towards now in the winter. For example, do you plan to go on an exciting summer holiday? Start organising your budget and saving more money for your holiday now.
10. Practice Gratitude and a Positive Mindset
Are you getting tired of the cold, darker and grey days?
Remember that this season too shall pass.
Practise seeing through the perspective of- ‘how can I make the most of my life right now?‘
What things have you been procrastinating that you just didn’t have or make the time for in the warmer months?
Winter can be a great time to make use of being indoors and sorting out the things you have been putting on the back burner. For example, things like taking charge of your finances, decluttering your home and getting more clear on your goals & priorities.
Lastly, keep up your gratitude practice during the winter. When you catch yourself focusing on the drag of winter too much, remember to state all the things you are grateful for.
There are so many simple pleasures to be grateful for during the wintertime, like a warm bed, a cozy environment, a good book, quality time with your loved ones and delicious, warming food and beverages.
Journal prompt:
How can you make the most of the season you’re in? How can you romanticise your life more this winter?
Making the effort to beat the winter blues and looking after yourself during the winter months is important. You truly can have a more happy, cosy & enjoyable winter.
Get your vitamin D, keep your body active daily, practise gratitude, try fun winter activities, prioritise quality time with your friends & loved ones, eat nourishing meals and engage in your passions & hobbies. These are just some of the practical ways that you can make the most out of your winter and beat the winter blues!
Experiment with ways that you can enjoy your winter most. And, remember that professional help is always there if you need support during the winter months.
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:
it is the time for home.
– Edith Sitwell
How can you embrace the winter more this winter? How can you make your winter beautiful? Please share your response in the comment section below with the Living Her Way community. ❄️💚
If you have any questions, blog post requests or kind comments please also comment them below.
Author: Lana
Welcome! Lana is the founder of Living Her Way. She's passionate about all things Travel and Self-Empowerment. Lana's mission is to inspire you to live a more happy and fulfilling life your way each day.
Camping and a road trip soothes my soul. Rewilding 101. 🙂 Great article and blog! Thank you for reminding me of things to do to make my soul happy.
I love all the suggestions you have offered to beat the winter blues. Practicing self-care is a top priority for me, as well as focusing on the beautiful weather months to come. Great post!
Great article with some really good tips. I must try the Bengal spice tea. It sounds so delightful and soothing.
Great ideas – I like your last point about a positive mindset. It’s hard to keep it during dreary months, but it’s doable with consistent effort.
Love all the ideas in this post. You’re hit all the things I strive to focus on. I sometimes relish winter to cocoon but I always find that time so satisfying so I can focus on my goals especially good nutrition.
After living in South Florida for a decade of my life (started in new England), then moving northward again, I was deconditioned to the darkness and blue feelings that come with being buried deep into the winter months of the more northern parts of the country. Your post reminded me that there are joyful things to focus on and celebrate even during these blue months!