Every year, I write a post about the winter blues. Not only for those who feel deeply affected by seasonal affective disorder, but for all of us whose inner spark may not be shining quite as brightly.
While I am someone who actively seeks joy, winter has a way of dimming things—the light, the energy, the motivation. Even the most optimistic among us can feel quieter, heavier, more inward during this season. But the goal isn’t to fight winter. It’s to move through it with care.
1. Honor the Season Instead of Resisting It
One of the most subtle sources of winter discomfort is the pressure to feel the same as you do in spring or summer. But winter is not a productivity season. It’s a season of conservation. When you stop demanding high energy from yourself, something softens. Rest becomes restorative instead of guilt-ridden.
Give yourself permission to move slower. To say no more often. To choose fewer things and do them well.
2. Create Small Anchors of Warmth
Beating the winter blues doesn’t require dramatic changes. It’s about creating moments of warmth (physical and emotional) throughout your day.
A hot drink you truly enjoy (my favorite right now is a honey citrus mint tea). A candle lit before sunset. I took Courtney’s advice here and brought out my signature Jungle Bloom candle (which usually debuts in summer and stays until late fall). Or even a scarf that feels indulgent instead of purely practical.
These small rituals signal safety to your nervous system. And safety is the foundation of a good mood.
3. Get Outside, Even Briefly
You don’t need long walks or perfect weather. Ten minutes of daylight exposure (especially in the morning) can make a noticeable difference. Fresh air resets the mind, even when the sky is gray.
Think of it as gentle contact with the world, not exercise.
4. Tend to Your Inner World
Winter has a way of surfacing emotions we’ve been too busy to feel. Instead of numbing them, create space for reflection. Journaling, reading, or quiet mornings can help you process rather than suppress. This isn’t sadness, it’s integration.
5. Nourish, Don’t Restrict
Cold months are not the time for harsh resets or deprivation. Warm, nourishing meals support both your body and mood. Think soups, teas, roasted vegetables, and foods that feel grounding. The Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy Cookbook is chock full of comforting recipes.
6. Do Something Kind for Someone Else
When your own energy feels low, turning outward, gently, can lift your spirits in unexpected ways. A thoughtful text. Holding the door. Paying for someone’s coffee. Offering genuine encouragement.
Kindness creates connection, and connection reminds us that we matter and belong. Even small acts can bring a sense of warmth that lingers long after. I believe we need this more than ever right now.
7. Stay Connected On Your Terms
Isolation can deepen the winter blues, but overstimulation can worsen them too. Choose meaningful connection over constant socializing. A phone call with someone who knows you. A slow dinner with one trusted friend. Presence matters more than plans.
8. Let Beauty Do Some of the Work
Beauty has a quiet therapeutic effect. Clean sheets. Soft lighting. A well-chosen scent. Winter is an invitation to curate your environment so it holds you when energy is low.
There is nothing indulgent about beauty as comfort. It is maintenance.
9. Know When to Ask for More Support
If the heaviness feels persistent or overwhelming, it’s important to reach out for professional support, light therapy, or medical guidance. Taking your mental health seriously is an act of self-respect, not weakness.
I also love the Headspace app.
Winter is not something to conquer. It’s something to move through slowly, with intention. In rest, nourishment, and kindness, we find that even the coldest seasons carry their own kind of grace.
X Tonya
The Real Chic Life 
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