Beat the Winter Blues by Getting Cozy at Home
It is that time of year again where the mornings are dark, the evenings are darker and the days are bleak and cold. The winter blues begin to set in and it can become a very depressing season. The alarm is telling you to wake up but your body, unconditioned to rise in what feels like the middle of the night, wants to stay asleep. Your internal clock is off. Most days are gray and lack sunshine. We just finished celebrating a new year but we cannot forget that in welcoming all that is new we are also letting go of the old which, can be a very tough process. Shedding our old habits and behaviors to make room for our new goals and resolutions is a beautiful thing but sometimes you can’t help but feeling like you are saying goodbye to a part of yourself. All of these factors build up into what can become winter depression and although this cannot be clinically diagnosed it is a very real thing and if you are feeling this way you are not alone. But, hang in there and hold on tight. Ride this momentarily rough wave through the darkness because I promise you, the light is right around the corner. Spring will be here before you know it, the sun will be shining, you will be reaching goal after goal and saying goodbye to you winter blues (until next year). In the meantime, to help you fight these dark days, here are a few tips to create a home that soothes us during what is known as the most depressing time of year.
1. PLANTS, PLANTS, PLANTS:
I am a HUGE fan of bringing the outdoors in and during the winter months when outside is brown and lifeless, bring some life into your home. Vibrant plants will liven up your space and make you forget how drab things may be looking outside. Get yourself a few easy to care for plants or if you have a “black thumb,” as my boyfriend so kindly calls mine, faux plants and greenery work just as well!
2. LIGHTS:
During these dark days, add a little bit of extra light to your home. Layering lights will brighten up your space even during the darkest months all while adding a new décor element to your space. Pick up a few floor or table lamps, maybe a new chandelier and don’t be scared to mix and match. Lighting a home may not be simple but it is not complex either and lights have the power to drastically change your mood. You can use different lighting to create an ambiance, accent the areas of your home you love most, add depth and dimension or minimize shadows.
3. CANDLES:
Candles are great décor pieces and, speaking of lighting, they are perfect for adding ambiance and light to any room. However, unlike a lamp or sconce, candles are able to take your home one step further and indulge another one your senses. Today, you can find candles that smell like your favorite…anything! From floral to musky scents or even the one that has the ability to completely take you back in time and relive one of your fondest memories. Believe me, there is a candle for everyone. Find one that feels like home, makes you comfortable or makes you happy and light them up around your house. You will find the power of smell is real and on a depressing, gray day the smell of frosted cranberry (my personal favorite bath and body works winter scent) flickering on your counter may just be the pick me up you need.
4. ESSENTIAL OILS:
While I do guiltily love candles, I am actually obsessed with essential oils. If you do not like burning candles in your home for health or hazard reasons, essential oils are what you need. Like candles, there are numerous scents that you can diffuse in your home. Essential oils are powerful plant compounds that truly have life-changing abilities. Yes, there are many that have a wonderful aroma but the use of essential oils extends far beyond that. Various single oils or oil blends can actually uplift your mood, combat stress, ease tension, help you relax, provide you with a restful night’s sleep and so on. I will spare you from a continuous rant because I actually cannot speak highly enough of essential oils for they have helped me completely transform my life but, I will say, if you are not into oils yet you should be. They are the absolute perfect, natural solution for so many physical and emotional conditions. If you are struggling to get through these dreary days, essentials oils can certainly lift your spirit and help you see the light through all of this darkness.
5. FIREPLACE:
Since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of having a fireplace. I know, it sounds so lame, a fireplace over a majestic unicorn but, that’s me. When we found our house and it had a fireplace, I was ready to sign on the dotted line right then and there. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in our homes are what I consider, lucky. If you do, you should get in the habit of using it. There is no better way to make your home snug and comfortable than stoking the fire. Fireplaces provide warmth, set an ambiance, and are super cozy to snuggle up next to with your family or favorite book. Plus, they are one of the best places to make s’mores and nothing beats the winter blues like comfort food.
6. CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK:
If this season has you in a funk, reading a good book can help you temporarily escape the day to day. A cozy reading nook can become the oasis you need when you are looking to get away for a while. Whether it is an actual nook, on your favorite chair or in the corner of your living room… grab a lamp for ideal lighting, some fluffy pillows, and a cozy blanket and take your mind on a journey. Your reading nook should be your safe place, full of all the things you love and reading itself can help you de-stress by relaxing your body and lowering your heart rate. If I were given the opportunity, every house I design would come equipped with the quaintest and coziest reading nook.
7. EXTRA BLANKETS:
This one is by far the simplest tip; just keep extra blankets around the house. You may want to drape one over the back of your couch/arm chair (especially if it is leather), or fill a basket with soft blankets in the rooms you tend to lounge in. Blankets are great to curl up in and they also provide you with a warm sense of security. On a cold day there is nothing like turning on some good, bad TV with a cup of hot chocolate and a fleece blanket. Plus, a cute basket or trunk full of warm throw blankets can give your home and overall comfy feel.
8. AREA RUGS:
On cold winter days there is almost nothing worse than walking around on a hard, cold floor. If your house is all wood or tile, throwing down a few area rugs not only adds to your décor but makes getting up on dark and chilly mornings a little more pleasant. Area rugs can boost your homes aesthetic s and make it more inviting.
I hope you enjoyed our tips and if you find yourself battling any version of winter depression I hope you are able to find some comfort in our suggestions. Please, always feel free to reach out with questions or anything you may want to discuss with us or get our take on. xo
