Beating the Winter Blues
As we know, winter is now well and truly underway. I am fortunate enough to live in the beautiful state of Tasmania, with vibrant and rich music and arts culture. However I am unfortunate to have to endure the cold winter months Tasmania offers. Yes, the scenic views are to die for and the air is fresh and icy, but I do find that being cold and it getting dark early gets me down sometimes. I've tried ways to cope with this - such as warming myself up! - But my mood sometimes goes unchanged.
So, how do you beat the winter blues?
Winter is coming around again! Thunderstorms all night here. Made sure I sat in the sun today for a bit and went down to my 'pot plant garden' for some zen time 🙂
"It’s that time of year where all Aussies in the south lose the ability to cope and people start pairing their thongs with fleecy jumpers."
LOL 
As an Aussie from the south, I have indeed begun to pair my thongs with fleecy jumpers.
@ClCl The sun is always nice in Winter, but then by mid Spring it starts getting a bit too hot.. Then I need to retreat back inside again!
For about two weeks in Spring we get pink blossoms on the trees along my road. I'm looking forward to seeing them, haha
I am also excited though that there is only one more day of winter remaining and then Spring! I love the changes in season 🙂 Around my house we have lots of cherry blossoms blooming, it is delightful
I find wearing comfy, oversized sweaters and lots of coffee (or hot chocolate or tea, whatever hot drink you're into) and going to coffee shops A LOT to draw or relax or socialize. It seems to help me out! 
Hey @maxcshanks! Oversized uber comfy clothes and coffee... what more could one ask for? 🙂
I like to go for walks along the beach (if it's not raining)! And drink too much coffee!
I'm a winter person myself (I know, I'm weird), haha. The thing about living in Queensland, is that it's a lot warmer than the other states that I've been to in winter. So I would move to Victoria, during my holidays to keep cool and classy, haha. Summer for me, is only great for cooling off in the beach eating mango's and watermelons. NAMNAMS!.
It's definitely a good idea to get sunlight into your skin and eyes during winter if you can! There is a bit of info on this factsheet about the getting the SADs (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
http://au.reachout.com/Circadian-rhythms-and-depression
There is a story on Youth Beyond Blue from a young person who thinks they might have SAD.... http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/2012/08/25/sad-seasonal-disorder/
I think you have to make sure that you get sunlight into your eyes for at least 30 minutes a day. That is without sunglasses and not through the inside of a window. Look upto the sun and bask in its light - every single day- make it a daily routine.
I think everyone has hit the nail on the head that maintaining a healthy level of exercise is important. Especially because winter means eating more hearty/warm foods it is easier to gain alittle extra weight. Salads are not hitting the spot or all the rage like they are summer. Therefore we end up with a catch 22 effect, almost thanks to evolution. The little bit of extra coverage is needed to keep us warm... but it adds to the winter blues - doesn't have to be the case.
Go out and find some nice winter outfits too - shop in moderation if money is an issue or suss out the op shops for some cool/cheap finds. It is important to feel nice in winter too. I hear too often that people feel like that have nothing nice to wear.
Make the most of a lazy day where you can curl up inside with the heater, blankets and a hoodie to watch a movie. You can rug up and get snug in summer.
Embrace the change, because summer will be back before we know it 🙂
All my life, I have grown up around music. My dad's side of the family is Italian and so - stereotypically - they are a loud, musicl family. When I was young, I did dancing for five years straight, and now I have been doing singing for three years. So I really enjoy music. I connect with it, I listen to stories, and write my own stories as well.
Something I've found really helps me is to listen to music when I'm upset. Often, it is the most triggering song I can find, but that helps. For example, when I start to have a panic attack, or just can't stop crying, I have a rather short playlist on my laptop which consists of;
- I Don't Want To Be Me - Amanda Clemens
- Breathe Me - Sia
- I'm In Here - Sia
-The Great Escape - Pink
The only reason I listen to songs like that when I'm upset is because I, personally, need to get to a really emotional state before I calm down. But I've also found that my morning playlist, which consists of rather upbeat songs, generally keeps me in a good modd. Since starting to listen to it, I have realized that my bad moods seem to start near the end of the day, but when I don't listen to this kind of music, I seem to get upset easily.
So, basically, I was just wondering what kind of songs help you guys cope better?
Thanks guys xxx
Welcome to ReachOut and woo hoo well done on sharing your first post here 😄
I have a whole playlist of 'happy' tunes I listen too. I find a lot of Beatles songs uplifting because they're quite upbeat and light-hearted.
JD.
Hey Getsome,
Welcome to Reach Out!
I love Breathe Me by Sia! I feel similarly to how you described. I prefer to listen to really sad songs when I feel down too. For me it seems like I go all the way through it to the other side. If that makes sense.
It sounds like music really means a lot to you. It's wonderful to have something in your life like that.
🙂
I have to say I enjoy Winter too, much better than being all hot and unable to sleep! I like to stay in bed and read a book, or watch movies.
I agree with supersky. I find doing something active in the morning (like going for a walk) really helps to cheer me up and get me into the day. I find it so hard to get going on cold mornings, so getting out for a walk really helps motivate me to get started on other things when I get home. Hot drinks (hot chocolate and herbal tea FTW!), dressing warmly (I live in my dressing gown during winter when I'm at home!) and using hot water bottles and blankets help me beat the winter blues too 🙂
I agree with Supersky! My best friend is the Gym during Winter - although it means I have to dragggg myself off the couch/ out of bed, the feeling I get when I have finished my workout during winter is the best! I feel like i've accomplishged somehting and gotten my heart rate up 🙂
I thrive for heat.......winters, slow me down......plus the snuffles.That's why I call myself snuffles, I am always snuffling all year round!!! hee hee!!!! Plus I too often rub my nose on whatever I am working on and I get the classic black snoz hole!!! As I work with steam trains! Greasy and dirty at times, not the place for people who want their nail polish to last or preserve nails form splitting or breaking!
It's a part of work for me so the split nails and broken nail mean little to me, just bite the broken bit off and spit somewhere and get on with the job!!!! Kero, Turps and all that type solvents are harsh on hands, but that the price I pay if like that type hands on work! Come home stinking of kero or turps!
