Well, winter is well and truly upon us in these parts. Today was one wet and windy day (and that’s just the baby’s nappies)! As I hunkered down in my house, trying to fight off the fatigue I’m feeling after about 3 hours of sleep last night, I realised that every day is going to feel like this soon. You know that dull, grey feeling? The constant sound of the rain? That need to just hibernate, even though you’re a grown up and you’re not allowed to (unless you are and it makes you happy then good for you)? The craving for comfort food full of carbs? Yeah, that.
I swear I get a touch of the S.A.D.s each year. I struggle to get myself moving, sad things seem even sadder, and I just don’t quite feel like myself at winter time.
Lately I have been trying to combat this as best I can and try to embrace the good things about this season.
Here are some of the things I try (with varying degrees of success thanks to a wonky sense of discipline but I keep on working on them!):
Vitamin D supplements
I get low on Vitamin D when I don’t get my daily doses of sunshine. I try to eat foods rich in Vitamin D, but sometimes I just need a bit of an extra boost. I find that supplements really do help me to feel more energetic and less sluggish. It’s a game changer for me! When I first started focusing on my intake, I couldn’t believe I had never thought of it before – all those wasted years feeling like a sad sloth!
(I am not recommending this to anyone as medical advice – please see the relevant medical professionals before commencing any regime – last thing the world needs right now is another blogger pretending they’re qualified to tell you what to do with your health)!
Ramp up my exercise
I actually find it easier to exercise during the winter. It’s not as gross and hot and I have a treadmill so technically there’s no excuse to not do something. I may be a bit hindered by the baby’s schedule for a while, but I will try to literally get back on the treadmill! I find the endorphins help my winter blues, more than anything. And hey, if a couple of my winter carb fest calories get burnt off, then that’s a bonus haha.
Soup/roast veggies
Speaking of carb fests, I try to combat this craving by roasting lots of delicious, healthy veggies (ie not just potatoes LOL). That way I get my need for a hot meal satisfied (cold salad is not always an appealing option when it’s cold and rainy). I call it damage control!
I also love a good soup. So many healthy options. Cauliflower is my personal fave. I also like soups that are more of a broth filled with healthy proteins and veggies. If a side of crusty bread just happens to appear by my bowl, I am not responsible for what happens, though!
By trying to focus on foods that won’t make me feel like falling into a 3 month long coma, I can’t lose, right?
Reliable wardrobe that allows me to get about in all kinds of weather
I am not a natural at dressing for winter. I have to work at it. I am not even kidding when I tell you I have a checkered past of abandoned/deleted Pinterest boards full of outfits I never quite managed to pull off/put together. Over time I have started to figure out what works for me. A practical ‘work’ wardrobe for ‘mum’ duties: jeans that don’t fall down all the time or cut into my stomach so much that I feel embarrassed about muffin top. Warm but nice looking hoodies. Activewear because I am honestly really active and it’s good to know I can sprint through the rain after a child without my movement being restricted or risk of a wardrobe malfunction.
Dressy things. A couple of long sleeved dresses that can be paired with tights, boots, a scarf, and cute jacket. Things I can layer up and feel warm but fashionable in (and not like an awkward puff ball). I don’t want to be constantly self conscious that I don’t have the right jacket or coat or whatever to go with a nice outfit. I want to feel cute no matter how many crazy layers I wear. Feeling put together stops me from feeling frumpy and just wanting to avoid leaving home.
Baby cuddles (extra points for fleecy baby outfits)
I am so lucky to have a baby at the super cute stage (past the totally confusing/stressful blob phase but not a full on PERSON yet) during the winter again (the Little Mister had that phase in 2011 which was so fun). There is nothing more friggin’ amazing than dressing them in a big fleece onesie and then cuddling the ever-loving crap out of them all day (not literally hopefully). It is the most adorable frickin’ thing to look at and they are fantastic little body warmers when you’re chilling on the couch. Bliss.
Also, cute babies learning how to hold toys and interact with you lots really help to pass the time and distract you from the fact that it’s shit weather.
Plan an end of winter getaway
Occasionally when I’ve been feeling absolutely crazy with winters that go on and on and on, we have headed up north for camping trips. Somewhere sunnier. Somewhere that gives you some respite from the cold windy days and gives you hope that winter will eventually end. This year we have a trip planned with lots of friends. I am a bit scared because we’ll be taking a 9 month old Little Miss and I have no idea what she’ll be up to by then, but man, I know that when the time comes I will be so ready to take the risk haha.
Do you love/hate the winter time? How do you survive it?
