5 Ways to Fight those Winter Blues

Sometimes, the sneaky winter blues tag along with the vibrant oranges and yellows of fall, making it difficult to have the energy to participate in those classic autumnal activities. To fight SAD (seasonal affective disorder), I’ve found a few tricks that help get me going, and allow me to enjoy a magical time of year.

Get Outside!

We dress in layers for a reason. If the sun is shining, get outside. The fall colors are scrumptious. If your nose is still clear, you might catch a whiff of a bonfire, a smoker, or the smokey barns full of tobacco (if you’re close to our neck of the woods). If your nose is stuffy, just cover your ears. The crispy leaves under your feet coincide with the crispness in the air to awaken the senses. Even if you can spare just a few minutes, it will uplift your spirits. If you cannot stay outside, open the curtains so you can see the light and colors.

Spill the Tea

An afternoon or evening tea helps heal those winter blues. Tea is a BIG deal at Gather in Bloom, and there is always a teapot and some loose-leaf tea ready at all fall and winter gatherings. The warmth of the teacup and the caffeine helps give your mood a little boost. It is also difficult to drink a hot tea on the go, so having a cup encourages you to sit down for a minute and take a break. Figuratively spilling the tea also helps. Just hop on that group text and vent for a minute.

Enjoy the Blooms

Mums. Brightly colored mums lighten the dreary gray fog. Ours are a vibrant yellow this year, and we made an adventure out of getting them. We are fortunate to have farms nearby that do the hard work for us, so we merely need to go pick them out. TIP: Put mums in a bucket of water for 30 minutes to an hour. They should absorb enough water to last the season, and you will not damage the delicate petals with frequent watering.

TIP: Put mums in a bucket of water for 30 minutes to an hour. They should absorb enough water to last the season, and you will not damage the delicate petals with frequent watering.

Decorate

Festive decorations warm up the space and helps you embrace the seasonal changes. I wrap orange twinkle lights around faux autumn leaf garland to place on the mantle. We also have a black twig tree that takes about 5 minutes to decorate but gives some spooky ambiance. Create the entryway with a wreath, orange and white pumpkins, and the mums. With the winter blues, I would not recommend going overboard or you will get overwhelmed and not do anything. Fall decorations take about 10 minutes total to place and are stored in one plastic bin. You do not need much to feel celebratory and brighten the space.

Turn on the Lights

Embrace the cozy slippers and fuzzy blanket while enjoying your tea but light a candle or start a fire as well. If no real flame is available, turn on the lights. Again, the best combatant for the winter blues is sunlight, but natural light is not always an option with shorter days. Better yet, have a friend over. You do not need a big gathering to reap the benefits of socialization on your mood. Additionally, having a guest will encourage you to keep the lights on!