Comfort in the Cold: Remedies for Winter Blues
The chilly season brings crisp air, indoor living, and a valid excuse to seek comfort at every opportunity. But in our draughty homes, many South Africans are ill-prepared for temperatures dropping below 15 °C.
You definitely won’t be the only one noticing that mundane, everyday tasks suddenly feel far more draining during the winter. Still, simple solutions, such as layering like a pro and covering your extremities with thermal gear, can make a huge difference.
It’s completely normal (and very human!) for even the most disciplined among us to have difficulty sticking to our set routines, given the biting cold and shorter days. And if you experience the winter blues (or its cousin, seasonal affective disorder / SAD), these feelings intensify.
Thankfully, simple lifestyle changes can help you remain happy, healthy, and warm. Trusted remedies, hearty home cooking, seasonal self-care, and cosy home improvements are all effective in overcoming the winter blues.
But before we get into our winter wellness tips, let’s break down the condition, its causes, and tell-tale symptoms.
What are the winter blues?
If your mood shifts to lethargic and generally downcast come autumn, and it lasts into early spring, it could be the winter blues. Signs you’re dealing with it include:
- Having a harder time getting up than usual
- Being unable to concentrate as well as during warmer months
- Blaming yourself for things outside your control
- Struggling to get tasks done that you usually like or find easy
- Feeling sad or disinterested in activities you would usually enjoy
- Craving carb-dense foods
However, if you can’t find enjoyment in anything, it might be SAD. And although you could still benefit from lifestyle changes, you may also need to visit your doctor.
Just because our winters are milder than some other countries’, doesn’t mean we don’t feel the season’s bite.
Winter Blues Remedies, Tip 1: Stay Active & Energised
Boosting winter energy can be as simple as sticking to a regular aerobic exercise routine. Even a brisk, 30-minute walk during your lunch break three times per week can significantly improve your alertness and enthusiasm.
Get a Dose of All-Important Vitamin D
Indoor winter activities like dancing – anything that gets your blood pumping – are fabulous, but first prize goes to outdoor exercise because of the sun exposure (and much-needed vitamin D). Low levels of vitamin D may lead to SAD and physical conditions, including bone softening.
Apart from spending time in the limited winter sunshine, you can raise your vitamin D levels through a diet rich in foods like mushrooms, egg yolks, and tuna, which leads us to our next tip…
Winter Blues Remedies, Tip 2: Warm Up with Nutritious Meals
Another aspect of staying healthy in winter is fueling your body with good, honest food. And we’re here to tell you that a wholesome, home-cooked meal doesn’t have to take up all of your limited time and energy. There’s a simpler way to do winter.
Double up on recipes that freeze well, like our Beef Ragu with Tomato, so you can indulge in hearty fare at a moment’s notice. Keep pantry staples like our Pasta Sauces or Cook-In Curry Sauces on hand for meal prep shortcuts. And when you’re really not in the mood for cooking, reach for our Ready To Serve Soups – just heat, eat, and enjoy.
Satisfy your cravings with a hearty helping of our Beef Ragu with Tomato.
Winter Blues Remedies, Tip 3: Practice Seasonal Self-Care
Self-care is about more than following winter health tips that benefit your body. It’s about nurturing your soul, too. Make time for the things you’re passionate about, or leave you feeling deeply content. This can range from learning to play an instrument to knitting, studying a new language, or even treating yourself to a hot bubble bath. Whatever makes you feel good, inside and out.
Winter Blues Remedies, Tip 4: Create a Welcoming Space
The Danish concept of hygge embodies cosiness. It’s how the Danes manage to get through their harsh winters happy and content. This philosophy encourages you to find joy in the simple things by creating a cosy home environment for your mental benefit.
Introduce hygge into your home this season by putting together a tranquil reading nook, complete with a soft blanket, plush pillows, and warm lighting. Spread this sense of comfort throughout the house by lighting candles and essential oil burners with scents like cinnamon, clove, and myrrh.
Beat the winter blues with a dash of hygge.
Make It Through #HiberNation Unscathed
See? Winter doesn’t need to be a season you have to soldier through. With a little planning, some new healthy habits, and the comfort of wholesome meals shared around the table with loved ones, you can appreciate and enjoy this slower pace and make the most of the season.
So, whether you’re tucking into a heartwarming bowl of stew, curling up under your favourite throw with a cup of tea, or enjoying a scenic stroll in a ray of winter sun, remember: there’s a simple way to do winter.
And that’s exactly what #HiberNation is all about.