Slowing Down: Your Guide Through Winter Blues

Let’s embrace the slow pace of life this winter as we dwell in the festivities and give our minds and bodies the rest they need! Here is how to slow down in winters

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Winter blues, or winter depression, is one of the most common experiences many people face.

Especially for those living in extremely cold countries, many have shared how the season affects their mental well-being.

Even where I live currently, we only experience winters for 2-3 months, but those few months are often enough to make me feel depressed or simply low in mood.

In this stage, trying to push yourself to match the fast pace of life that the world is living in can be really mentally challenging.

I believe embracing the slowness of life during this season is essential and a great way to navigate these months without things getting worse!

In this post, I will share small and simple ways to slow down in winter, recharge yourself, and give yourself the utmost care and love.

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Table of Contents

Slowing Down: Your Guide Through Winter Blues – How to Slow down in Winter

Here are some slow-paced ways to embrace your inner hibernating bear this winter:

1. Slower mornings

Instead of rushing through your mornings as you usually do to hustle and be productive, let go of that mindset and take your mornings slowly to be more present

Replace your jarring alarm with a wake-up light
Start your day with a “beditation” (meditation while still under your warm covers)
Give yourself an extra 15 minutes before getting up (it’s called thermal inertia, very scientific)

2. Create a relaxing Home environment

Your home can help you truly ease and feel cozy in winter!

Create a cozy corner with blankets and soft lighting (bonus points for fairy lights)
Light candles at sunset (because winter darkness is your excuse for peak hygge)
Lower your lights in the evening (your brain will thank you for the melatonin boost)

3 Embrace Slower Daily Pace:

Not just in the mornings, but throughout the day, approach everything at a slower pace. By that, I mean being truly present in what you are doing instead of rushing through tasks just for the sake of doing them

So do it mindfully and enjoy it!

Schedule break time between commitments
Take actual lunch breaks away from screens (food tastes better when you’re not typing)
End your workday when it gets dark (blame it on your circadian rhythm)

4. Indulge in Mindful Activities:

Slowing down can be truly enjoyable by implementing mindful activities that ease your mind from winter blues and negative thoughts that tend to emerge. Indulge in..

Reading physical books (screens are so summer)
Start a slow hobby like knitting or puzzles (productivity who?)
Practice the art of staring out windows with a hot drink (it’s not procrastination, it’s mindfulness)

5. Rejuvenating Evening Rituals:

Of course, we want to end our day by allowing our bodies and minds to truly rest, just like a phone needs to recharge to function properly. Here are a few things you can do..:

Create a “sunset shutdown” routine for your day: That means shutdown all work and screen after sunset!
Switch to herbal teas after 2pm (caffeine is for summer problems! just kidding, avoid caffeine after 2pm regardless of season!!)
Get into PJs embarrassingly early (if the sun’s down, it’s fair game)

6. Go easy with your Mind & Body:

I know that as the year starts to come to an end and we begin anew in this winter weather,

it can be easy to be harsh on ourselves while trying to achieve our goals.

But let’s not put our goals on a pedestal when the winter blues are at their peak

Take longer, warmer showers (within reason – we’re slow, not wasteful)
Stretch while watching TV (multitasking for the minimalist)
Practice saying “not this season” to extra commitments
Be more kind towards your body and mind (watch your self-talk)

7. Release Guilt around rest and slowing down

It’s very important to release your guilt around going slow and resting when needed this season!

Even if you are slowing down and giving yourself rest, if it’s accompanied by guilt, it will only make you feel worse and defeat the purpose of what you’re trying to achieve.

Let go of any guilt, comparison, or shame surrounding taking things slow and listening to your body and mind!

8. Build Social Connections

Winter blues can often make you feel lonely, leading to overthinking and low energy.

During this time, isolating yourself may not be the best option.

Of course, it’s okay to isolate yourself for some time to journal, meditate, or self-reflect, but at other times,

make sure to actively meet with family, friends, and new people to stay connected and build meaningful relationships!

9. Embrace the season and its activities!

Lastly, to slow down in winter, embrace the season and feel gratitude for the good things it brings!

Enjoy the coziness, hot chocolate, and warm meals! There are plenty of seasonal activities available to enjoy during this time as well!

HAVE A WARM WINTER!

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Slowing Down: Your Guide Through Winter Blues – How to Slow down in Winter