Not all of us are lucky enough to live in a place where it’s warm and sunny all the time. In a lot of places, winter is cold and dreary and it can have a detrimental effect on our moods. Some people are even diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder. So here are 15 ways to stay happy this winter!
1. Get organized.
Clean your room, get rid of old notebooks from last quarter, throw out those old mascaras… Being organized can help reduce anxiety, and less clutter will make you feel more calm and less stressed.
2. Clean up your diet.
Remember your mom telling you that “you are what you eat”? Well, she was right. Eating crap is going to make you feel like crap. Try to stick to whole, clean foods from now on. You will feel amazing!
3. Dance it out.
Create a killer playlist or find one off Spotify (I suggest the Shake Up Your Day one) and just dance for a bit.
4. Change your look.
This could be as simple as trying a different makeup look, or you could try dying your hair a crazy color. A new look makes you feel like a new person, and it's just really fun to try new things.
5. Sweat away your worries.
If you have access to a sauna, I suggest you try it. Sweating can help release the toxins in your body and make you feel AMAZING.
6. Cut out screen time.
Although we all love binge-watching Netflix, laying in bed all weekend can make you feel lazy and depressed. If you really need to watch something, watch with your friends. Talking to people in the same room as you is so much better than live tweeting.
7. Add working out to your daily routine.
Working out releases endorphins, which will make you feel so good and happy, and you always sleep better after working your ass off at the gym.
8. Plan a vacation.
Plan a fun trip to somewhere warm with friends for spring break. Giving you something fun to look forward to will help you get through the winter!
9. Take your mind off the cold.
Grab a couple of good friends, make some margaritas, and watch a movie set in a tropical destination. Watching "50 First Dates" is the second best thing after actually going to Hawaii.
10. Do some yoga.
11. Light up your life.
Winter can be so dark, so brighten up your room with some string lights or a Himalayan salt lamp, which have detoxifying properties. They are so much better than ugly dorm florescent lights, and you will feel like a much brighter person.
12. Pick up a book.
Try reading before bed instead of watching TV. You will sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.
13. Take a break from social media.
Everyone knows how FOMO can have a negative impact on our mood, so try cutting out social media so you don’t have to hear your friend brag about the amazing vacation they just took.
14. Give your self a pep talk.
Give yourself a pep talk every day! There are even apps that give you daily reminders of how awesome you are.
15. Take it one day at a time.
Remember, if you are having a bad day, it's just a day. Nothing lasts forever and tomorrow will be better!
