How To Survive Winter 2021
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TOP 10 TIPS TO SURVIVE WINTER 2021
Winter is the darkest season of the year. This darkness makes the days drag on and it feels like spring will never arrive. For many, winter is difficult to endure during a normal year.
This winter is more of a struggle because we are also trying to survive a pandemic. The combination of both has been a challenge for even the most devoted winter lover. The good news is we are halfway through the season!
I decided to write this post to share some tips that have always helped me survive long winters. I will be honest I don’t like winter at all. I am not a fan of this season. I think this might be because I grew up in one of the coldest places in Canada, Northern Ontario.
My town was a -30 degrees celsius, bone-chilling wind kind of winter place. I have seen enough snow to last me ten lifetimes! The winters of my childhood were spent outside building snowmen and snow forts the size of a small cabin. That’s how much snow there was!
I have survived many dark, cold winters. This is one of the reasons why now as an adult I have chosen to live in places with mild winters and more sunshine. However, I quickly discovered that it wasn’t the snow or the cold that made the winter difficult to endure. It’s the long nights of darkness that make it most difficult.
Unfortunately, if you live in the Northern hemisphere there is no escaping the darkness of winter. But have no fear I have solutions that will help you survive the remainder of winter 2021!
1. APPRECIATE THE DARKNESS
It gets dark very early in the winter and the lack of sunshine causes us to feel tired and down. There is no escaping the force of nature and the planetary shifts that cause the effects of winter darkness in the northern hemisphere. This is the season that reminds us to slow down and take it easy until the rebirth of spring. There is a saying I love which suits winter perfectly ‘Without darkness, we cannot appreciate the light’.
2. GET OUTSIDE
Get outside and experience nature. Bundle up in thermal layers and go for a long walk in a winter forest or the shores of a frozen lake. Inhale the fresh air and unlock the power of nature with all your senses. Being in nature will instantly boost your mood and lower stress hormone levels.
3. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE
Not only does it get dark early in winter, but the daytime is usually grey and gloomy. Make a habit to check your local weather forecast and pick out the times when there will be some breaks of sunshine during the day. If it’s too cold to go outside to enjoy a few moments of sun you can stay indoors and sit in front of your window. Open the curtains and absorb the energy of the sun. Even a few minutes of sun will help boost your mood.
4. CELEBRATE YOURSELF
With all events and even weddings cancelled this past year. Who even feels like dancing with everything going on? But the fact we have made it this far is enough reason to celebrate.
Play your favourite song and throw a dance party in your living room. If you don’t have privacy you can do this in the shower. Even if you don’t consider yourself a dancing queen blast some beautiful music. Its been proven music causes the brain to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical. Who doesn’t need some extra feel-good chemicals right now?
5. DETACH FROM NEGATIVITY
It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of bad news. Yes, the news informs us of what’s happening in the world, but the content isn’t an equal balance of good and bad. It’s sensationalized to heighten our fears and anxieties.
After an hour of watching the evening news, it’s easy to feel upset and hopeless. Remember life is full of beauty, the news doesn’t show us all the good things happening otherwise it wouldn’t be newsworthy.
Instead of watching the soapbox, try reading the news, it’s easy to buy a newspaper and stay caught up with current events. Reading the news is a more peaceful activity than watching overly stimulating visual images. If there is a particular topic you’re seeking, simply do a google search online. Here you will find the information needed without being bombarded with extra information. This is a much healthier alternative to sitting in front of the TV and watching the same sensationalized news loop over and over.
6. DEDICATE TIME FOR SELF-CARE
Prepare your favourite herbal tea to drink in bed while reading a good book. A real book, not a digital version on your phone which will strain your eyes. There is nothing cosier than curling up under the duvet on a chilly evening with a book and cup of tea.
Buy yourself flowers or a beautiful plant. If you are working from home then display them on your desk. Flowers and plants have a way of making us happier simply by being in their presence.
Transform your bathroom into a spa to melt away the stresses of your day. Prepare a candlelit bath by placing candles around your bathtub. Fill the tub with water and a cup of sea salt. You can also sprinkle in some flower petals from that beautiful bouquet you bought yourself. Make this a weekly evening ritual.
7. EAT HEALTHY
During this cold season, you need to eat nourishing meals that will keep you strong and healthy. Include more plants in your diet and benefit from their natural healing properties. Buy some local vegetables and prepare a hearty soup. Also, eat plenty of fruits high in vitamin C to keep your immune system strong.
Each week try to plan at least one delicious meal you made completely from scratch using only natural ingredients. You can take this one step further and do an inventory check of the foods currently in your cupboard and fridge. If you find anything with ingredients you don’t understand and can’t pronounce then its most likely not natural food.
8. SWEAT IT OUT
Sweating is a great way to release toxins. Unfortunately, gyms in most countries are closed right now, but the good news is there are online classes literally everywhere you look. Fitness studios and teachers from around the world have gone online. From Youtube to Instagram and on the websites of gyms and yoga studios. Many of these classes are free so you have no excuse!
This is the perfect time to try out a new fitness class from the comfort of your own home. If you don’t feel motivated enough to do an online class don’t worry you can repeat tip #4 every day and get your sweat on by dancing around the house.
9. CALL A FRIEND
The anniversary of being separated and isolated from our loved ones is nearing the one year mark, depending on which country you live in. We still might not be able to hop on a plane and visit our distant family and friends, but we can connect with them on the phone.
The next time you feel like chatting with a friend instead of sending a message or a voice note pick up the phone. Take the time to have a real conversation, even better if it’s a video call! We are social creatures and hearing a friendly voice can do wonders to our wellbeing.
10. ASK FOR SUPPORT
Winter 2021 is especially difficult with our current situation. This is a challenging time for everyone, but especially those living in isolation or who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression brought on by the changes in the season when the days get shorter in the winter.
Those affected by SAD will feel this season more profoundly. Symptoms of SAD include feeling depressed, low energy and difficulty concentrating. On the more serious end of the spectrum, sufferers of SAD experience feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness and even thoughts of death or suicide. If you are having any thoughts of hopelessness or suicide please visit befrienders.org or find a local help centre in your country by clicking here.
We are all suffering in one way or another because of the effects of this pandemic and this winter will be hard for many. Our health and mental wellness should be of the utmost importance at this time. Please take care of yourself and hope some of these tips help you to get through the rest of winter 2021.
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