How to Get Through Winter
Growing up in New Hampshire, winter has always been a pretty major part of my life. I know how waking up to below-freezing temperatures, inches of snow and darkness can take a major toll on a person and their well being. But living through so many tough winters has also helped teach me that winter doesn’t have to be something you just have to wait out until spring comes again. Here are some of my favorite ways to make the colder winter months a bit easier.
Make Your Perfect Cozy Routine
Having a good routine can make colder mornings more fun and exciting! Make a morning coffee or tea, put on your favorite playlist, wear a cozy outfit that makes you feel good or even just give yourself a few extra minutes to get ready. At night, change into your comfiest pajamas (bonus points if they are holiday-themed), do your skincare and put on a movie or show you’ve been meaning to watch. Personally, I love cozying up with some hot cocoa and a good sitcom like The Office.
Prioritize Skincare
Cold weather always takes a massive toll on my skin, especially when you’re constantly going between cold air and heated indoor spaces. Winter is a time to focus on keeping your skin moisturized and well taken care of. I always keep a lip balm or a good lip mask on me, as well as a moisturizer. I really love the vanilla lip mask from Trader Joe's or the berry Laneige one! During winter, I really try to make my skin a priority and be intentional about the way I care for it. Also, a good routine can be a fun thing to look forward to in the morning or before bed!
Embrace Winter Outfits
Personally, one of my favorite things about winter is getting dressed for it. Sweaters, coats, boots, scarves, cute socks and layers give you so many opportunities to play around with your style and really build a fun outfit. I try to buy myself a fun piece of clothing once in a while to look forward to building outfits around! You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe, though. Sometimes just adding a cute accessory or styling an old sweater differently is enough to make an outfit feel new.
Make Fun Plans
Winter can start feeling repetitive and hard to get through when every day becomes school or work, home, sleep, repeat. I’ve found that planning fun activities you’ll actually look forward to makes a huge difference in getting through winter. Go get coffee with a friend. Have a movie night. Try cooking something new. Go shopping. Visit a bookstore. Have a sleepover. Take yourself somewhere you’ve never been. Even a little thing to look forward to can make all the difference in how a week feels. You could take a trip to a bookstore to find your next read, go to a cafe and try a new seasonal drink, or even take a yoga or workout class!
Get Outside
Going outside during the cold winter months can be very daunting, but the cold temperatures do not make it any less important to get some fresh air. Sometimes you just have to put on lots of layers and go outside. Even if you aren’t somewhere with snow, getting some fresh air and daylight can be such a good reset. Take a walk, go for a drive, sit outside with a drink or find somewhere pretty to explore.
Mental Health Care
Winter can affect your mood more than you might expect. It is something I have personally struggled with a lot. Shorter days, less sunlight and staying inside more can leave you feeling more tired or unmotivated. Sometimes self care in winter also comes from doing more simple everyday things for yourself. Give yourself permission to rest. Spend time with people who make you happy. Take breaks from your phone and social media. Keep doing the things you enjoy, even if you don’t feel incredibly motivated at first. And if you’re genuinely struggling with your mood or finding that winter is affecting your everyday life, don’t be afraid to talk to someone. Taking care of your mental health is so important, especially in wintertime. There are resources like counseling services on campus, or you could try self-care-focused apps like Calm, Headspace, and Smiling Mind.
Finding Joy in the Cold
I’ve learned over the years that winter can feel very long, but it has also taught me that you don’t have to spend all of winter wishing it away. You can find pieces of the season that bring you joy and that you can look forward to. Winter doesn’t have to be your favorite season. You just have to find your own reasons to enjoy it! If you try any of these tips out or come up with your own special ways to get through winter, make sure to tag @theedgemag on Instagram!
Thumbnail: Emily Stabell