7 Slow Living Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

As November approaches, summer starts to feel like a distant memory. The rich colours of Autumn have begun to fade, and the cold of winter starts to creep its way in. I don’t think it matters what season you favour most; the bleakness of winter always seems to be a little uninvited as we cling to the last of the warming sun and the joy of not having to de-ice our car windows every morning!

We don’t always have to dread the winter, though. I am a firm believer in embracing the cold and going with its flow rather than against it. It is said that the Scandinavians are one of the happiest nations in the world, partly because they embrace the long winters and enjoy the season for what it truly is.

In our home, there are a few things we do to help us get through the winter months. I always find these to be a huge help, especially when the shorter days start taking their toll. These 7 little steps are our little lights in the darkness of winter.

1. Gather friends and family together often - The number one mood booster - food, friends and family! This is my favourite way to cheer everyone up throughout winter. We do this as often as possible, around the table and by candlelight. Some of our favourite memories have been created around the dinner table as the rain came pouring down outside. Why not take turns hosting the dinners each week to lighten the load? It gives you an excuse to get out of the house, too.
2. Embrace seasonal cooking - It is important to eat seasonal food as much as we can. Not only is your food likely to be fresher, but it also supports the local economy and reduces CO2 emissions. Eating seasonally gives our bodies exactly what they need throughout the year, such as the warming root veggies readily available in winter. Spend a Sunday batch cooking so you have something hearty to eat for the rest of the week with little fuss. You could even get the kids involved, too. It’s a great way to spend time together and learn about the food they eat.
3. Stay active outdoors - “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” is one of my favourite things to say to my children! We must stay active in winter and get outside in daylight hours. As we all know, exercise does wonders for our mental and physical health. Exercise increases our “feel good” hormones (endorphins and serotonin), and exposure to daylight is equally vital for vitamin D and our circadian rhythm, which, in turn, helps us sleep better and feel better. No matter what the weather, try to get outside as much as you can. Even if it's just for 10 minutes, you’ll feel the benefits.
4. Limit screen time and be present - Excess screen time can have a detrimental effect on our mental health at the best of times and even more so in winter. One thing I like to do is set limits on particular apps to make sure I’m not spending too much time on them. This is a great way to limit usage and track how long you’ve been on your phone. The hours spent can be quite shocking once you begin to track them. Try to read a book instead or make a start on that project you’ve been meaning to do all year. You’ll feel so much better for it.
5. Create a cosy home - As soon as autumn arrives, I bring out the cosy blankets and fluffy rugs and light way too many candles! It’s my favourite way to spend an evening, and it helps me transition from summer into the colder months. I recommend introducing some nice houseplants into your home, especially in winter. Plants have proven to decrease stress, improve moods and increase focus and productivity, as well as cleaning the air and looking pretty good if you ask me!  
6. Random Acts of Kindness - RAKs are selfless deeds - in other words, something is done for someone else without expecting anything in return. I love RAKs, and there are so many ways in which we can do them. From sharing some soup with a neighbour to paying for someone's coffee - the possibilities are endless. Kindness boosts our “love” hormones (oxytocin); our blood pressure lowers, our self-esteem and optimism grow, and we make the other person feel good, too - why not give it a go?
7. Stock up on creative projects - That book you’ve been meaning to read, that recipe you’ve wanted to try, the room that needs painting, that craft project you never started - make a note of all the little things you’ve been meaning to do and get them ticked off this winter. It is another excellent way to boost your mood and feel like you’ve accomplished something, too. It’s a win win!

Whilst I’ve only touched on a few things you can do to beat stress this winter, there are countless articles and help out there if you are struggling. Every winter, I run our Christmas Conscious Market, where I gather 50+ wellness and sustainable small businesses to share their products, classes and thoughts with our guests. It is one of my own personal mood boosters, and I know many visitors and exhibitors feel the same.

If you’d like to come along, our Christmas market is held on Sunday, 3rd December, at The Barn at Barra Castle, Inverurie. All are welcome, and we are sure it will be another great way to enjoy the winter months.

To a happy, healthy and warm 2024!

Rachael is the founder of Slow Living Events based in Scotland, a community for people who want to live a more conscious and sustainable life at a slower pace.

Website: www.slowlivingevents.com

Instagram: @slowlivingevents

Facebook: @slowlivingevents