HOW TO STAY HAPPY DURING WINTER

11/23/2016

How to Stay Happy During the Winter Months
A lot of people think it is a myth that depression can affect people only a couple months out of the year, but when you have experienced it you know it's a real thing!

Every year around this time as the days start getting colder and shorter its hard not to feel a little depressed and down. Theres a lot less sun, its cold, the days are shorter, and there is also a lot of stress from the holidays! Sometimes there is no particular reason to feel down and depressed, but you can't seem to snap out of it! Ash and I are typically pretty happy people and yet we find ourselves getting into this depression mode like a lot of people do. Here are a few ways that we have decided help us from getting down in the dumps, and try to stay more happy during the winter.

Always have something to look forward to

This one is a really important one for us. Always having something to look forward to helps keep a positive and optimistic attitude about what good things are coming. This can literally be anything big or small. It doesn't have to be a huge vacation that you need to plan and look forward to, it can be something as simple as a date night when your hubby this weekend that you get to dress up for and have some quality time with him.

2. Exercise!
It's hard to get the motivation to get your butt to the gym when its snowing and freezing outside, but if you are feeling in the slum this will definitely help! Im sure that we’ve all heard that endorphins make you more happy, and that's why you feel good after you work out and it is completely true! I won't go into all the scientific details about it, but if you are truly interested you should look it up! There are tons of scientific proof to back it up so if you're looking for a quick “pick me up”, this is it!

3. Spend time with people you enjoy!
Spending time with our family is one of our favorite things to do, and when we are with them we are constantly laughing and having a good time! They say when you are laughing and smiling that is when you are the happiest, and it even helps you live a longer healthier life! The holidays are great for this because there are a lot of events that happen during the holidays that bring all the people in your life together that you love the most, so embrace each moment with them!

4. Eat Healthy
This one is probably one of the hardest ones especially during this time of year! There are so many sweets, candies, and buttery goodness that is hard to resist. While this stuff is ok to eat in moderation, it's still important to give your body the nutrients that it needs to stay healthy and feeling its best!

5. Get dressed up
One of the best outfits to wear when it is cold and gloomy are oversized sweaters and sweatpants and just sit inside all day next to the fire. When it 30 degrees outside and snowing Its hard not to want to sit in home all day everyday in your comfiest clothes and just chill. While this is fine some of the time, it is important to get dressed up and feel like accomplishing something that day. I read somewhere that people who work from home should still get dressed up like they're going into the office everyday because it will make you work harder and be more motivated just by looking the part, and feeling like you are the part. Not sure how credible the website was that I read this from, but it definitely has some good points!

6. Write down something you are grateful for everyday
This is a big one especially if you are having a pity party while being depressed and thinking everything in life is going wrong. This is definitely something that happens to all of us, and as long as we don't stay in this state for too long, its OK! One thing that we've found that really helps put everything into perspective is to find things you are grateful for and write them down so you don't forget them. A lot of people are starting to do this on social media, but keep a journal of all the things you are grateful for and when you are having an especially hard day take a peek at those things and I bet it will help!

These are just a few ways that help us be positive and productive during the winter months! I must say, getting these cute sequin jackets definitely put a smile on our faces as well. ;) They are the cutest jackets, and they are totally in right now especially for all the fun holiday parties and celebrations coming up, this is the perfect party jacket!