How to Beat the Winter Blues

We know that sometimes after a bad day of feeling down, your first instinct might be to reach for a cocktail to make you feel better. But the reality is–the mood boost you feel from alcohol will only last a few minutes, and it’ll be superseded by all of the detrimental effects. When you’re not feeling great, you might be surprised by how much better cutting out alcohol will make you feel. And the best news is, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options out there these days that are just as delicious as “the real thing.” So crack open a Figlia spritz, grab a copy of Ruby Warrington’s Sober Curious, and get ready to feel better, sleep better, and stay healthier.

We get it: book clubs can be difficult to stick to. But what if you choose a book that everyone was talking about, that includes actionable steps for improving your lives? Roxie Nafousi’s Manifest is one of our personal favorites–and the seven steps she gives to immediately improving your life may make you feel better right away.

One of the simplest and, in our opinion, most underrated, ways of getting out of a rut and feeling better right away: laughter. Listening to a funny podcast, watching a movie that makes you laugh, or revisiting an old “comfort” show is a surefire way to feel better fast.

It may sound counterintuitive to host a party when it’s the last thing you feel like doing, but sometimes, when you’re hit with a case of the winter blues, it’s because of an underlying feeling that you’re lacking purpose. That doesn’t mean you need to spend the entire winter searching for the meaning of life, though: a purpose can be temporary, something to distract you and inspire you to step outside of the mundanities of daily life is more than enough. And hosting a party absolutely qualifies; it gives you an event to look forward to (the party), something to do in your spare time (party plan and prep), and a psychologically proven way to feel better (human connection and friendship) without even having to leave the house. Triple win.

While we know we just recommend throwing a party as a way to create connections and feel good again without having to leave the house, sometimes heading out of the home is just what the doctor ordered. Going to your local museum and seeing art, heading to a nearby cinema to watch an indie film, or hitting the theater district in your town to watcha play, is one of the quickest and easiest ways to feel inspired again.

If you have access to a sauna, steam room, or bathhouse (many major cities have them–so be sure to check and see if there’s one near you), use it! Sweating releases endorphins. Plus, there’s nothing better than escaping the cold for the comfort of somewhere warmer–and a sauna is just about as warm as it gets.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Casa de Suna.