Once the jovial atmosphere of the holidays has passed, the winter months can suddenly feel a lot bleaker. As a result, it’s common for many to suffer from seasonal depression as a lack of sunlight from shorter days takes a toll on our bodies and minds. But fear not, as we devised some self-care tips to get you through the winter happier and healthier than before. Just because the weather outside is miserable doesn’t mean you have to be.

Home Exercise

Because shorter days and lower temperatures keep us cooped up in our homes, it’s easy to fall into sedentary habits. We laze around and don’t get much movement into our daily routine, which in turn makes us feel lethargic and apathetic. One of the best things you can do to take care of yourself mentally and physically is home exercise. Whether that be investing in home exercise machines or getting into yoga, doing something to get your blood flowing and your body moving will result in improvements within your mood and energy in addition to your body.

Improve Diet

Similarly, it’s easy to fall into habits of snacking and indulging. Junk foods you enjoy may be a short-term way to feel good but will, in the long run, just make you feel even worse because you’re not fueling your body with the healthy nutrients and carbs it needs to feel energized and healthy. Exercising will motivate you to eat healthier and vice versa, creating a positive cycle that will ultimately benefit your physical and mental health as you improve yourself.

Create Atmosphere

One of the more fun self-care tips to get you through the winter is decorating and altering the atmosphere of your home to create a soothing and comfortable environment. The environment you’re in influences your mental state far more than you might expect, and in turn, can be a powerful tool if tailored to your personal tastes. For example, simply changing the color of your walls has an impact. White or warm-colored walls will better reflect light and make the room feel brighter which is a valuable trait when daylight is so precious during the winter.