5 Tips to Get Through the Winter Blues
Go from Winter Blues to Mood Boost with These Helpful Tips!
I remember as a kid returning from holiday break, looking at the school calendar, and feeling like the next out of school day (not because of weather) was so far out.
And sometimes it was like dragging yourself along the way to get there.
Now as adults sometimes it’s the same feeling. Late January to end of March can just feel so long sometimes. The days are shorter and cooler (or colder depending where you live) and can limit your abilities to do certain things you enjoy.
Certainly things such as anxiety, depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder can make this time of year more challenging as well.
So today, I’m sharing with you 5 ways to boost your mood and help you get through the mid winter slump that you can begin today!
I am a therapist in Wilmington, NC and specialize in counseling for high achieving anxious women. I provide anxiety treatment, treatment for perfectionism, burnout counseling, and therapy for imposter syndrome.
I am licensed to provide therapy to anyone located in North Carolina and Maryland.
Ready to kick those winter blues and start therapy with me? Click the button below to schedule your free 15 minute consultation on the date and time of your choice.
By the end of this you will have some ideas about how to make it through the mid winter slump.
5 Ways to Help Boost Your Mood When You Have the Winter Blues
Listed below are 5 ways to help boost your mood this winter to help get you over that winter hump. Some of these may take some planning but the good news is most of them you can begin today!
Check out these winter blues mood boosting tips below. (Try saying that 5 times fast)
#1 Winter Blues Mood Boost Tip: Do Some Planning
Planning can help create motivation and increase creativity. There is even some research about delayed gratification and anticipation of reaching the goal that is more exciting than once you get to the end point.
Planning can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Try this - Do some goal setting (long term or short term). Start researching your next vacation and make a Pinterest board with all the cool stuff you find and want to do. Get a jump on next week meal planning ideas.
#2 Winter Blues Mood Boost Tip: Take a Break and Go Somewhere
Day trips, long weekends, or a week long vacation, sign me up!
A change in scenery can go a long way. Take advantage of getting out of town or just getting out, period.
Going somewhere new can be exciting and allow you to try new things.
Breaking up the monotony during those winter months can have a positive impact on your mood.
#3 Winter Blues Mood Boost Tip: Clean it Out
Who says you have to wait until spring to do some spring cleaning?
There is something to be said about cleaning up, cleaning out, or finishing the last bit of whatever in the bottle.
Cleaning and having a cleaner environment can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It also increases feelings of motivation, which is often a huge factor in anxiety and depression.
Try this - Start small and tackle the junk drawer. It doesn’t need to be pretty (it’s a junk drawer after all) but chance are you don’t need 10 rubber bands and ton of paperclips. (and not to mention 4 apple cords tangled together - hide those suckers)
You can also go through the pantry, freezer, fridge, and closets.
Bonus points if you are able to do some donations with this project because helping others boosts your mood too.
#4 Winter Blues Mood Boost Tip: Get Together with Friends
During the winter, I know I miss summer BBQs and just hanging out with friends.
Connecting with others is so important to mental health. During these winter months it can be easy to fall into the hibernation mode. However, this only increases anxiety and depression.
Sharing laughter with your best buds is a huge mood boost too!
Try this - Make it a theme night! Choose a theme for a dinner or party and have your closest friends come over.
Gotta be apart but still wanting to connect?
Make it a watch party on a streaming service or be intentional and catching the latest episode of Outlander together and recapping afterwards.
#5 Winter Blues Mood Boost Tip: Get Some Extra Support
We all need extra support at times.
Getting support is something high achievers and perfectionists struggle with a lot.
But the truth is asking for help is an important skill to learn and utilize.
So whether is it asking friends, family, or reaching out to a therapist, know that support is available.
Self-care is so important. Whether you have to do some pre-planning behind it or it is a quick self-care activity, just remember a little can go a long way to help your mental health.
Start Therapy in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
The mid winter slump can be hard to get through and can easily increase feelings of anxiety, depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Sometimes we all need some extra support and motivation to get through the tough stuff. Know that it is normal and support is available.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Wilmington NC counseling practice.
Learn more about ACT for anxiety and how it can be helpful for you.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15 minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your ACT therapist
Start living your life and feeling better
Therapy for High Achieving Women in WIlmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Learn more about me and my Wilmington, NC online counseling practice.
Providing therapy for high achieving women, I understand some of the challenges they often experience including stress, anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout.
You have been experiencing any of these and want to learn more, check out the links below to see how starting therapy with me can help you.
Anxiety Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for perfectionism in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Online Therapy in North Carolina
Online therapy has been around now for awhile (even before COVID-19 pandemic) but wasn’t as widely used.
Well all that has changed now and it online therapy has become more of the norm.
Due to the effectiveness and other benefits of online therapy, it has been an offered service at Calm Waters Counseling, even prior to the pandemic beginning.
I am dually licensed in North Carolina and Maryland to provide therapy services.
So while my therapy office in Wilmington, NC, I can actually provide online therapy in Charlotte, NC and online therapy in Frederick, MD.
Learn more about receiving online therapy in your state.
Online Therapy for Anxiety in North Carolina
Online Anxiety Therapy in Maryland
Still have questions? Check out these places to get some answers!
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/15/23