If you aren’t the biggest fan of winter, you’re certainly not alone. While winter has its advantages (hot cocoa, warm sweaters, beautiful snow), it’s also undeniably cold and often a bit bleak. Since we have two months until the first day of spring (which begins on March 20, 2021), we thought it might be helpful to discuss some tips to get through winter with your sanity and your smile intact.
Tips to Get Through Winter
Embrace hygge.
Have you heard about hygge? Pronounced “hoo-guh,” this Danish term is defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being” (source). Some say that hygge helps the Scandinavian survive winter in good spirits. How can you add hygge to your life? Try these ideas:
- Light candles
- Use warm lightbulbs
- Cuddle under a blanket
- Wear soft clothing (cashmere socks, a fleece sweatshirt)
- Drink hot beverages (coffee, tea, cocoa, mulled wine)
- Sit by a fireplace
- Eat your favorite comfort foods (such as chicken soup with warm bread)
Spend time outdoors.
Don’t make the mistake of staying indoors all winter because you dislike cold temperatures. So long as you dress appropriately for the weather, taking a walk outside is sure to raise your spirits. If possible, walk during daylight so you can soak up some vitamin D. Even just 10 minutes spent in the sun each day might help brighten your mood.
Dress in layers of warm clothing.
With the right clothing, you can be warm and comfortable despite freezing temperatures. To ensure you’re warm enough, dress in layers that you can add or remove depending on your body temperature. Start with thermals, which provide a warm base layer, and wool socks, which will keep your feet warm and dry.
Create goals.
If you often find yourself bored in the wintertime because you’re forced to spend more time indoors, try creating a goal for yourself. What would you like to accomplish before spring? You could teach yourself how to knit, send letters to your dearest friends, learn to bake the perfect loaf of bread, or finally read a long-standing book on your to-read list.
Exercise and eat nutritious foods.
It can be tempting to go full-on couch potato in the wintertime, but you’ll feel a lot better physically and mentally if you move a little every day and eat a healthy diet. Try taking a brisk morning walk and eating foods with your favorite winter produce, like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Clementines are also widely available in winter and make for a great snack between meals.
Acknowledge the good things about winter.
Winter isn’t all bad, right? Instead of moping around and complaining about all the things you hate in winter, focus on the positives. Spend a little time thinking about aspects of winter that you truly enjoy. The following list should help you get started:
- Beautiful falling snow
- Untouched snowy landscapes
- Crackling fires
- Thick, fluffy socks
- Hot cocoa
- Holiday lights
- Christmastime
- Warm soups and stews
- Flannel sheets
- Cozy sweaters
- Mulled wine
- Knit accessories (scarves, hats, mittens)
- Dogs wearing sweaters and coats
- Hockey, football, and basketball seasons
- Hot cider
- Comfort food
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If you’re tired of slogging through January, February, and March each year, we hope these tips to get through winter will come in handy. In fact, maybe you’ll even look forward to winter’s brisk afternoons and cozy evenings.
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle, with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-266-3329 (Bartlett) or 901-854-6590 (Collierville). We look forward to meeting you!