COMBATING THE WINTER BLUES

Eight ways to boost your mood and care for your overall well-being as we close out the cold-weather season

In my opinion, actor Bill Murray described winter perfectly in his iconic 1993 comedy Groundhog Day — “It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be gray, and it’s gonna last you the rest of your life.” 

I try to embrace each season as it comes, but at some point in late January/early February, it starts to feel like the chilly, overcast days will never end. 

As a seasoned winter-blues fighter, one thing I’ve learned is that passing time on the couch under a heated blanket is relaxing but not necessarily invigorating. You have to be proactive and intentional to end your day with a brighter spirit. 

Here, I’ve rounded up eight ideas to help you stay energized as we anxiously await the arrival of spring. 

1 Get some fresh air. 
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the winter when daylight hours are short. The lack of sunlight can throw us off, leading to a depressed mood. 

We can counteract this by getting as much sunlight as possible. You’ve also probably experienced the immediate mood-boosting effects of some crisp, albeit cold air hitting your lungs; it’s always a refreshing change from the stuffy, dry conditions in our heated homes. 

Whether it’s a 30-minute walk around your office building at lunch or a long hike on the weekend, time outside during the wintertime can be a game changer for your mental health. 

2 Look at the world from a different (point of) view.
Take the fresh-air challenge to the next level by venturing to an outdoor spot with a view, which can often give us a renewed sense of perspective. There is no shortage of peaks, cliffs and beautiful vistas to enjoy in Virginia. 

If you have a full day on your hands, one popular destination is the Peaks of Otter, where you can make the trek (about 2.5 hours up and back) to the top of Sharp Top. You can find other trails for all skill levels at the Peaks of Otter and nearby on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Another day trip suggestion is the trail at the Smith Mountain Cooperative Wildlife Management Area, where you can hike from 800 feet to 2,000 feet and take in a stunning view of the lake region. The best part about visiting this trail in the wintertime is there are no leaves to obstruct your view. 

Or you can keep it short and sweet. For example, the Alpine Trail at Lynchburg’s Riverside Park is a walking trail that weaves along the wooded hillside of the park. It also offers beautiful views of the James River along the way. 

3 Bring the outdoors, in.
Skip the wine aisle at the grocery store and buy yourself flowers instead! The pop of color in your kitchen or dining room is the perfect reminder that spring is around the corner. 

You could also add a new plant to your indoor lineup. Staff at plant store PREAM, located on Rivermont Avenue in Lynchburg, recommend spider plants, snake plants, aloe vera and rubber plants. They say these are common air-purifying plants and are also known to lower cortisol. 

4 Schedule a chuckle session.
Laughter really is the best medicine. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing causes you to breathe in more oxygen-rich air, stimulates your main organs (heart, lungs and muscles), and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Endorphins are the “feel good” hormones produced by the pituitary gland. 

Make laughing the focal point of a night out! Catch a stand-up comedian, a funny stage show or go to a movie. If attending a show isn’t an option, my family keeps it simple by watching “funny dog videos” (or search something similar on YouTube) as a group in our living room. You can also try a new silly board game or card game with friends and family. 

5 Tackle a done-in-a-day home project.
I say done-in-a-day because what doesn’t lift my mood is spending weeks with an unfinished project within arm’s reach! 

This project could be as simple as updating your bedding and pillows, painting a small room or old piece of furniture, or creating a new accent wall with beadboard or wallpaper. 

Small projects enable us to enjoy a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day and feel recharged. 

6 Book a spa appointment.
When conducting an informal poll as research for this article, several of my friends said a good old-fashioned pedicure is their go-to way to beat the winter blues. 

Another healing option is London’s Salt Spa in Bedford County. They offer massages and facials, but the main draw of their facility is the therapeutic salt cave. Inside this cozy, tranquil room you can prop up your feet in a zero-gravity chair and breathe in air that their website claims is 10 times purer and filled with more than 84 minerals, including lithium (a proven depression fighter) and selenium (improves sleep). 

7 Try something new.
Oftentimes in the middle of winter, I just feel a little stuck. Get out of your routine with a new activity, craft or class that helps you explore something you haven’t tried before. 

There are a plethora of art-focused establishments with a revolving list of art classes in Central Virginia and Roanoke. 

In Moneta, people are raving about Hawaii Fluid Art, a brand-new artisan space. Their 1- to 1.5-hour classes include everything you need to create a beautiful work of fluid art, which is an abstract painting technique. 

Those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen should keep tabs on cooking classes at The Flour District in Lynchburg or make it a weekend with Albemarle County’s Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard’s Cooking School. 

At minimum, open up that recipe reel you saved on Instagram and give it a try! 

8 Wander around a bookstore or library.
If you’re like me, you’re always in a rush to get to the next activity, destination, birthday party or sporting event. 

That’s why I get such a mood boost when I get the opportunity to go to a bookstore (alone … no children or husband allowed) with absolutely no shopping list, purpose or time limit. 

One of my favorite places is Lynchburg’s Givens Books & Little Dickens, where you can also splurge on a specialty coffee drink from Corduroy Coffee & Kitchen and sip while you shop. I always enjoy perusing the staff recommendations shelf near the front of the store and the used book section located in the back. 

In Roanoke, check out Too Many Books in Grandin Village or Book No Further in Downtown Roanoke, both of which truly live up to their names! You’ll find new and used books galore. 

You don’t have to do this whole list to feel good. Just try one new thing. Don’t let winter become an endless Groundhog Day. Take care of yourself and make the most of this season! ✦