The winter months tend to put many of us into hibernation mode. Texans may not have to endure the hard winters of states like Minnesota or Vermont, but the days of January and February can be rainy, gray, and downright dreary.
It’s enough to make a person want to stay inside until April. There’s no reason to let the winter blues get the best of you, though. A little bit of self-care and you may begin to appreciate winter in a whole new way.
Rest and Reflection
Rather than dreading winter as simply a season to suffer through, psychologist and author of How To Winter, Kari Leibowitz, emphasizes the importance of learning to appreciate the season for what it is and look for the silver lining in it. “We might bemoan that we have less energy, but we could flip that on its head and say that winter is a time to do less and rest more,” explained Kari.
The shorter and colder days of winter can provide opportunities to enjoy activities that you might not otherwise consider during the warmer months. This might look like breaking out some candles for a dinner date by candlelight or turning off the TV and thumbing through the pages of a family photo album. Winter is all about how you make the most of it.
Keep Cozy Indoors
As enjoyable as summer is, 100-degree temps don’t exactly conjure up terms like “cozy,” no matter how much you blast the air conditioning. There’s a reason that winter is known as sweater weather. It provides an opportunity to bring out all the blankets, pour a big mug of hot chocolate, and put on those goofy slippers you wouldn’t normally be caught dead in.
Level up the coziness and have a board game night in front of a crackling fire, or bring the family together to prepare a meal like beef stew, veggie chili, or chicken enchiladas. Any kind of food that will warm you up and stick to your ribs!
Stay Connected
Because so many of us tend to stay indoors during the winter months, relationships can easily slip into a lull. It’s important to combat feelings of loneliness or isolation, though, and make efforts to stay connected to friends and family.
This might mean virtual gatherings with relatives or simply scheduled weekly phone calls with a friend to chat. And if you have a friend or family member who really enjoys winter, take the opportunity to hang with them more. The people we surround ourselves with can make all the difference in our emotions.
Designated Me Time
Life is stressful regardless of the season, so it’s important that during winter months, you still find ways to unwind and decompress. Finding an hour or two during the week to chill out and enjoy some self-care can make winter more manageable.
Having something to look forward to can boost happiness. So whether it’s reading a good book, learning a new instrument, or strapping on the boots for a winter hike, find something you enjoy and dive into it.
There’s a lot to enjoy within the Caliterra community spring, summer, fall, and winter. If you’re looking for a new home, reach out to our team today.
