Mood Boosters: 10 Ways to Banish the Winter Blues

In this post: Do the shorter days and colder temps get you down? For simple and quick mood boosters, you’ll love these 10 ways to banish the winter blues.⇒

When I was younger I used to make lists of what I thought would constitute a perfect day.

Ok, when I say younger, I mean even last year. 😜

And while in my mind’s eye that perfect day would most definitely not include work and would quite assuredly involve the beach, that’s not particularly realistic for an ordinary day (especially in winter).

Despite the unlikelihood of eliminating responsibilities from our day to day lives, it IS entirely possible to add a medley of moments to the day that are inherently up-lifting. We should aim to add as many of these mood boosters as possible, and to pepper them throughout the day at various times.

By focusing on these mood enhancing rituals, the net effect is a better frame of mind and a more positive outlook. Add enough good moments and you have the building blocks of a great day and, consequently, a happier life.

Plan – Start with a Quick Win

So what exactly do I mean by mood-boosting moments?

I am referring to personal routines that indulge our interests and passions, slow down our day so that we take notice, and refresh our souls in the process. And the best place to begin is first thing in the morning.

I’ve never been great at starting my day like I was shot out of a cannon. Awaking to a blaring alarm and rushing to my first activity is a recipe for disaster when it comes to my state of mind.

The day I developed a morning routine was the day I discovered living intentionally.

The steps you add to any of your personal rituals are highly individual and will be different for everyone, but the hallmarks of a good morning routine are that it makes you feel tranquil, reflects your goals, and is done consistently.

You might include things like writing in a journal, reading something inspiring, meditating or practicing gratitude. You may add stretching, drinking water, bathing, and putting on your workout gear.

A great way to wrap up your morning routine is with a quick win. I like to plan my day by writing my goals in my journal, then knock out the first quick and easy item to complete. (It can be as simple as ordering that laundry detergent you need online.) This sets you up for the day already feeling accomplished.

Energize – A Morning Pick-Me-Up

With a plan in place, the next obvious step is a solid morning pick-me-up. I usually eat before I workout, and while I prefer to keep it healthy, I also see my breakfast routine as another opportunity to add pleasure to my day. This means appealing fruits on a crisp white plate, a comfort bowl of oatmeal and my favorite blend of aromatic dark coffee.

(If I’m really feeling decadent, it would also involve croissants. It’s hard to think of a greater pleasure than a flaky croissant and a cup of coffee!)

Next I like to get my exercise out of the way, but again, I use these personal non-work moments as chances to indulge in joy-filled activities. No matter how much I feel like staying glued to the couch, a walk outside always lifts my mood, listening to music or an audio book. This has the added benefit of ticking off 2 goals on my list. (On rainy days I use the treadmill instead, but it’s never as uplifting as being outdoors.)

Midday Refresh

I do eventually buckle down to get a day’s work done, and working at home gives me the freedom to be flexible with my time. But even if you work in an office or have to be somewhere at a scheduled time, you can simply wake up earlier to accommodate the morning mood boosters.

What really matters is that these rituals are comprised of mood enhancers that make them pleasureful.

So during the day I surround myself with 2 things that lift my spirits. The first is fresh flowers and this is a habit I started when I worked in an office. I buy flowers on Monday and they brighten my desk all week. I’ve always included them in my grocery budget so that I don’t perceive them as an optional extra.

The second thing that brightens my day is scented candles, and I also use potpourri and room diffusers.

Finally, I enjoy a midday refresh with a colorful salad. It’s pleasing to look at and healthy to eat.

Late Afternoon – Get Cozy

After a day of work or even if I’m just out shopping or running errands, one of my favorite times of day is late afternoon, when I return home. I love the cozy feeling of nestling into a sofa or comfy chair near the fireplace, with a throw blanket, a cup of tea and a book or magazine.

This is a great time to chill before I need to start dinner and it has long been one of my most uplifting rituals.

Connect – Family Pizza Night

Dinner is an opportunity to connect with family and we’ve always prioritized eating dinner together. My kids are now grown and no loner live at home, but they still come for dinner as often as is convenient and preparing a meal together is a great joy. My daughter is a particularly creative cook and nothing beats a relaxed conversation around meal prep.

And while making home made pizzas is definitely a preference, if pizza night involves ordering takeout, the opportunity to mingle with family is nonetheless just as special.

Relax – Evening Wind Down

An end of day routine is as beneficial as the one you start your day with and is the perfect time to indulge in spa-type treatments. A long hot bath with soothing bath salts, a face mask to pamper your delicate skin, scented soaps and body washes, and lush rich moisturizers are all great ways to enhance one’s mood.

I also allow myself a sweet indulgence like a piece of dark chocolate as the day’s reward.

Additional Ideas

• Use a short free block of time to call a friend.
• Get a good night’s sleep after that relaxing bath.
• Do volunteer work if you have free time.
• Play with a pet, even if it’s not your own.
• Learn something new – take a class or start a new hobby.

Most of these rituals revolve around personal routines, things you need to do anyway, that are elevated to a level where they become pleasures you look forward to. They have the added benefit of creating healthy habits which can enhance your mood even more.

The key is to seize any opportunity you have within your day to build these routines and then to be diligent about repeating them on a daily basis. Before you know it, they will become habit and your day will feel off if you skip them.