With no more “Happy New Year!” greetings ringing in the air, it’s prime time for a case of the winter doldrums. Dull, gray, dreary, overcast, spring-can’t-come-too-soon weather. Did I mention gray and dreary?
I really don’t mean to be a downer. I’m lucky enough to live in a warm climate, so there’s no snow, not much wind and no scraping ice off my car windshield, like my friends and family do in the Midwest and East Coast. We get glorious, beautiful sun much more often than rain.
On the down side: Those rainy days, it gets dark early and, despite my best efforts, I can no longer justify drinking eggnog and eating copious amounts of cookies.
No matter how I look at it, January is just kind of blah. Anyone else share my pain? C’mon, unless you’re set to hit the ski slopes or, like my sister, you have a b’day, who really likes this month? Besides crossing off the days in my calendar, here are a few tricks that work for me.
Vary your routine: It doesn’t have to be anything major – take a new route home from work, try a new coffee shop, wear a color you don’t usually wear. Make plans (maybe a yoga class or your favorite thin-crust pizza spot) for a Monday night. It’s cool to have something to look forward to at the beginning of the week. Little changes make a difference and they’re stress-free.
Embrace cocooning: Since you’ll be inside more often, make your home as cozy and comfy as possible. Make sure you have enough pillows (I can never decide if I prefer foam or feather) and that you have a good wool blanket. I love to burn L’Occitane’s honey incense loccitane.com and sip a cup of tea. Mighty Leaf mightyleaf.com mint teas are excellent. Need I say, you’ve created a perfect spot to curl up with a good book?
Write a letter: Not an email, puhleeze! No, I mean a real, old-fashioned snail-mail production with thick white paper and a Sharpie fine point or writing implement of your choice. It’s really nice to have a break from computer screens and your recipient will be impressed with your retro charm.
Plan a getaway: It’s an oldie but a goodie. Well, that’s because it works. Pull out your calendar and pick somewhere warm or at least somewhere fun. Could be a week on the beach; could be a day trip, only an hour away. New scenery either way.
Wake up to flowers: This tip comes courtesy of Rebecca Cole, flower expert and author of “Flower Power” colecreates.com/pub_books.html. She keeps the winter blues at bay by keeping fresh flowers near her bed. “I absolutely hate my alarm clock,” she says. (My kind of gal.) So, she regularly fills a bud vase with at least three flowers and puts it near the dreaded clock. That way, instead of hitting snooze, she wakes up and smells the flowers – literally!
Two other strategic spots for flowers: By her toothbrush and by the coffee pot. Like eating right and getting exercise, she says, having fresh flowers on hand is another way she takes care of herself. It doesn’t take much effort and the mood boost is immediate.
Wish I’d thought of that. Rebecca, you rock!
