How To Beat The Winter Blues

The winter months are sometimes tough to get through mentally. When I put myself in summer mode, my mood boosts. Here are my tips on how to beat the winter blues, including light therapy and a tropical mindset.

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Retirement planners always ask you “What’s your retirement dream?”

Some might say to play golf everyday, to travel to the corners of the world, to dive into hobbies like painting (hi mom!), or to simply enjoy the cozies of home with a book and tea without the stress of work.

My life goal dream is to spend my winters somewhere warm and sunny.

My bones ache for the warmth of the sun this time of year. Shorter days, lack of sunlight, heavier comfort foods. While I do love my winter walks and winter sports, this season is just too long overall. (And I know some of you live in places far colder for far longer – I don’t know how you do it!!) I start craving the longer days of spring and summer the second the new year begins.  

The years it has been possible to do so we’ve traveled to St. Lucia and The Keys in the colder months. Nothing boosts your mood like literal sunshine. But in the years that you can’t travel for whatever the reason, how do you channel that warm sunshine on your face feeling? 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

I think that I do have a tendency towards seasonal depression. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is also known as winter depression. People with SAD can have symptoms that mimic depression. While doctors aren’t exactly sure the reason some people experience SAD, they hypothesize that the lack of daylight in fall and winter affects the body’s circadian rhythm. Serotonin (the happy hormone) and melatonin (the sleep hormone) are often off balance as well. 

Symptoms of SAD

• lack of energy
• withdrawing from social situations
• changes in sleep schedule, which can mean sleeping more or less than usual
• feeling sad, low or hopeless

The best treatment for SAD is light therapy

People find 30 minutes of light therapy to really improve their mood. This might mean getting outside in the sunlight, but if the sun is hidden behind clouds, a light therapy lamp can help. There are lots of different ones on the market, and they are not too expensive. I’m looking into one for myself. Spend time under the bright lights, close your eyes and imagine the real warm sun. 

In addition to light therapy, adding the summer routine in the winter tricks the mind into a summer vibe

So, I thought, if I can’t go to the Caribbean, I will bring the Caribbean to me!

How To Beat The Winter Blues

Put on beach music

The Beach Boys. Reggae. Kenny Chesney.

Make a tropical drink. 

Embrace the pineapple with Julie’s Pineapple Mint Sangria, this Paloma with grapefruit, or this Summery Rose Cocktail, which looks right up my alley! Or stock up on Coconut LaCroix! 

Follow resort Instagram accounts.

Like this one. Take me virtually to the Maldives!

Warm your body

If you have a safe way to do it, go to a sauna, an indoor pool, a hot tub or simply take a hot bubble bath! Make your body feel like it’s summer and sweat.

Shop for a new bathing suit, summery clothes, or patio furniture 

They might be on sale! Check out my Amazon black bathing suit post from this summer, summer fashion favorites post, and porch furniture. Think ahead to your pool bag!

Watch Moana with the kids

Or your favorite beach movie. Or Survivor!!!

Eat all the tropical fruit

Bonus: it’s in season! Grapefruit, mango, pineapple. Get it frozen or order the tropical smoothies from Daily Harvest. Make coconut sorbet.

Have a summery dinner

Like burgers or skewers with pineapple or cold peanut noodles or summer pasta salad. Bring on that summertime healthy diet vibe. Enjoying fresh summer fruits – that are frozen – is another way to bring the flavors of summertime to your winter plate (or glass). 

Read a good island novel.

I love anything by Elin Hilderbrand. It’s prob not surprise I have never read any of her winter books – only the Nantucket summery ones! But the St. John winter series is perfectly tropical. I loved the Paradise Trilogy!

Wear tropical scents

Like this melting body balm with monoi flower! Or Citrus Mimosa Body Butter. Or just put on some sunscreen! Even a fresh bouquet of flowers can help brighten up your living spaces. Or perhaps bring a palm to your living room! 

What is your favorite part about summer?