If you’re anything like me, then you know that the wintertime can sometimes be rough for your mental health. There’s nothing like the cold and rain to put a damper on what could have been a good day. For some people, times like these can even cause a drop in serotonin. Whenever I’m feeling a little under the weather, these are the five things I make sure to keep in check:
The number one thing I have to keep track of in the wintertime is my sleep schedule. Anything less than nine hours is a recipe for disaster in my day-to-day, not to mention that research recommends that anyone over 18 get at least seven hours of sleep. Personally, I have found that supplements like melatonin and ashwagandha have been super helpful in making sure I get all the rest I need. Getting long and good quality sleep can be especially tough when living on a college campus (trust me, I know). I love to use earplugs to block out any outside noise. There’s nothing like waking up refreshed and energized on a chilly morning!
Another total game changer for me has been making sure that my days are structured and organized. My favorite way to do this is with my many planners. If you know me, you know that I am completely obsessed with any type of planner I can get my hands on. Recently, I’ve been using the app Notion, which pretty much combines most organizational, list-creating and note-taking apps into one single app. It is available for download on iPhone and Android, but also on any desktop or PC, which makes it super flexible. I love using this app to track all the short-term things I do in my day, as well as creating little grocery and shopping lists. With Notion, the possibilities are endless.
A harder goal I set each winter is to be more comfortable saying ‘no.’ It can be easy to agree to plans or tasks that I don’t really have time or energy for, and I end up overcommitted and underwhelmed. Learning how to say ‘no’ when needed and meaning it is such a valuable lesson, especially in the winter season when I most often find myself sick, cold or swamped with schoolwork.
Meditation has also been a huge help to me this season. While meditation can come in many different forms, my favorite way to practice it is through short, guided meditations on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. There are plenty of options to choose from, but I always find myself coming back to Tracks to Relax – Nap Meditations (available anywhere you get your podcasts)! I’ve found that meditating on my day, the things I’m grateful for or even just peaceful imagery, is the perfect thing to reset after a bleak and busy day.
My final wintertime staple is to make sure I’m feeding my body healthy and nutritious foods. Although it’s simple, having balanced and wholesome meals is a sure way to keep me active and awake all throughout the day.
While I love using these tips every day to protect my peace in the dreary winter season, I still love to do these things year-round. I hope your day is peaceful, too!
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest!