The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful…
Holy moly. Did you see the snow out there? It’s giving: Jack Frost. It’s giving: freeze my tush off. It’s giving: I’ll be staying in until spring thank you very much.
And for a great number of us, it’s giving: seasonal depression. According to recent data from ParticipACTION, 67 per cent of Albertans report experiencing winter blues which is higher than the national average.
Aw. Alberta. It's just because we’re deep, empathetic people. Obvs.
I, too, fall into the statistic of people affected by the weather changes and thought I’d use this recent dump of snow as inspiration to share some of the ways I have helped insulate myself from all the feels that can come with the snow.
Caring for your fundamental needs should be at the top of the list: prioritizing care for your physical and mental wellness by seeking out the appropriate care providers. Physical activity is a huge support for battling the blues. The stats I looked up say 80 per cent of us agree that it can improve our mood noticeably. (Author’s note: Do you see how much homework I did for this article? I’m a real grown-up now.)
Outside of the pragmatic self-care choices to stay physically active and seek out appropriate counselling and therapies, there’s something I’ve noticed makes a huge difference in my perception of the season.
It’s hygge.
Hygge is a Danish word that roughly translates to “coziness” or “comfort.” It’s all about creating a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in your home, workplace or preferred environment.
It’s often associated with candles, fireplaces, twinkle lights, blankets, warm beverages and quiet activities. It could also be planning a night-in with your loved ones for board games or a good movie.
Hygge is ambient lighting, relaxing music playlists, cozy slippers and sweaters. It’s lending your energy into your environment to make it inviting and magical, engaging all five senses in a way that feels comforting, warm and lovely.
The darkness of winter can be a downer, especially for those who commute to work in the dark and back again. It can feel like you don’t see the sun for ages. This is where coming home to a house filled with soft lights and inviting smells can make such a huge difference. Get those pretty lights and flameless candles with timers so you can walk into a home that welcomes you back with love and peace.
I noticed my winter blues hit the hardest when all the Christmas magic got packed away. Somewhere along the way, I learned about Hygge, and in the post-Christmas season, I now trade out the red and green lights for white and have collected winter decor.
There are some things in my home that only come out for the winter season so I can look forward to them. They help make it so the winter months have a specialness all their own that I look forward to. And then it doesn’t feel so much like I’m simply waiting for summer to arrive.
I hope your winter season can be an opportunity to find the magic that’s there in the dark and the cold.
May you find yourself snuggled up in front of a warm fire with a great book and even better ambience.