10 Ways to Survive the Winter Blues
Have you ever suffered from the Winter Blues? If you’re reading this from somewhere north of the Mason-Dixon line, you know exactly what I’m talking about—the gray days. The darkness is settling in before 5 pm. That tiredness and lack of motivation that creeps in around mid-January and doesn’t lift until the first crocus pushes through the snow. I know for me, I have to get outside, and no one makes me get out faster than my girl Sadie!
After decades of Vermont winters—in an 1850s farmhouse, no less—I’ve learned that surviving the season isn’t about fighting it. It’s about leaning into what makes this time of year beautiful in its own way, while being intentional about what actually works.
Whether you’re dealing with the winter blues (that general “blah” most of us experience) or something more significant like Seasonal Affective Disorder, these strategies can help you not just survive but actually thrive through the coldest, darkest months.
- Invest in Light Therapy
Here’s the science behind why the winter blues hit so hard. Reduced sunlight during the winter months disrupts your circadian rhythm and affects the production of serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone) and melatonin (which regulates sleep). A light therapy lamp—also called a SAD lamp—mimics natural sunlight to help reset your internal clock.
The key is using a lamp that provides 10,000 lux (a measure of light intensity) for about 20-30 minutes each morning. Position it about 16-24 inches from your face at a 45-degree angle—you don’t need to stare directly at it. I use mine while drinking my morning coffee and scrolling through emails or Pinterest.
Recommended Products:
2. Prioritize Vitamin D (The Sunshine Vitamin)
“One reason the winter blues take hold? Our bodies produce less Vitamin D when sunlight is scarce.” We need our skin to be exposed to sunlight—something in short supply during northern winters. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, low Vitamin D levels have been found in people with seasonal affective disorder, and deficiency has been linked to fatigue, depression, and weakened immune function.
I’m not a medical professional, but my doctor has advised me to take Vitamin D year-round, and I notice the difference when I skip it. Most adults in northern climates benefit from 1,000-2,000 IU daily during winter months, though some healthcare providers recommend higher doses for those who are deficient. Have your levels tested and consult your doctor before starting any supplement regimen.
Products We Recommend:
3. “Make Time for Face-to-Face Connection.”
Isolation is the biggest amplifier of the winter blues. Even if you don’t feel like “going out,” invite a friend over for tea or a workout. Physical proximity to others lowers cortisol levels and reminds you that you aren’t alone in the dark.
Research consistently shows that social connection is one of the most potent factors in mental health. But winter makes it so easy to cancel plans and hibernate.
Be intentional about maintaining relationships: schedule regular calls with faraway friends, host simple suppers (nothing fancy—soup and bread count), check on your neighbors. Human connection is its own kind of heat source. If you are not near any friends, the library is a great place to hang out, or even the little boutique shops, where you can connect with like-minded folks.
Ideas for Winter Connection:
- Start a monthly game night or book club (with even two people)
- Schedule weekly video calls with distant friends or family (I call my mom every day during this time of year, which is tough on shut-ins)
- Take a class or join a group (crafting, fitness, language learning). I have been a witness to the knitting groups started at the yarn shops, and it sure looks like everyone is having a blast!
- Volunteer—helping others reduces depression and increases a sense of purpose
- “Body doubling”—doing parallel activities with a friend, even virtually
4. Do a Quick Declutter of One Small Area to Beat the Winter Blues
Visual clutter weighs on your mind. Select one drawer, basket, or shelf and tidy it. Small wins add up and give a surprising boost when everything outside feels stuck.
This is one of my favorite ways to beat the winter blues and make headway on the clutter. Since I am already in, why not take on one of the spaces I have wanted to purge or organize? January is the best time to do this traditionally, so many great ideas on Pinterest, and all the organization tools are readily available on Amazon, some even on sale!
5 Quick Ways to Declutter
- Pick one tiny space — a junk drawer, your nightstand, or one kitchen cabinet.
- Set a 15-minute timer to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Pull everything out so you can see what you’re working with.
- Keep only what you use or love — be honest with yourself.
- Put things back neatly and enjoy that small win.
This sense of accomplishment often energizes you to take the next step, and you may now feel more comfortable inviting friends over.
Products we recommend: I love these baskets for storage, so pretty. I won’t admit how many of the not-so-pretty black-and-yellow ones I own, but they are the best for storage in attics, garages, or storage units!
This post contains affiliate links and some AI-generated images.
5. Keep Your Hands Busy With a Creative Project-Learn Something New
Winter blues hate productivity. Knitting, baking, decoupage on a thrifted piece, or refreshing a corner of your home can give you a quick boost.
*I want to conquer sourdough baking this winter. I have been making Artisan Bread for the last few years, and I am ready to take it to the next level.
The key is choosing something that feels enjoyable rather than obligatory. This post is your permission to pick up that hobby you’ve been curious about.
Recommended Products:
6. Start an Indoor Garden and Chase Away Those Winter Blues
I’ve always enjoyed my houseplants, but during the long winter months, they get my full attention. There’s something about tending something green and growing when everything outside is frozen and dormant.
Right now, I’ve got amaryllis bulbs sending up their dramatic stalks, jade plant cuttings rooting in small pots, and Christmas cactus segments getting established. These are forgiving, low-fuss projects that give you that gardener’s satisfaction without needing a greenhouse.
A few easy projects to try:
- Amaryllis – Plant the bulb in a pot just slightly larger than the bulb, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed. Keep it warm, water sparingly until you see growth, and in 6-8 weeks you’ll have those magnificent trumpet blooms lighting up your January windowsill.
- Jade plant cuttings – Snip a healthy stem, let it dry for a day or two until the cut end calluses over, then stick it in well-drained soil. These succulent beauties are nearly indestructible. I made a video showing exactly how I do this: Watch: Propagating Jade Plants
- Christmas cactus – Twist off a segment with 2-3 sections, let it callus, plant it, and keep the soil barely moist. By next holiday season, you’ll have new plants to share.
If your windows don’t get intense light (and whose do in a northern winter?), a simple clip-on grow light dramatically extends your options. Look for full-spectrum LEDs—they don’t take up much space and make all the difference.
“Watching an amaryllis bloom in January when there’s snow piled against the windows? That’s winter blues magic—proof that life keeps growing even in the darkest months.”
7. Sprout your own Veggies
Are you “Craving something fresh and green when the winter blues have you feeling sluggish?”—and tired of paying grocery store prices for sad-looking produce? Sprouts are your answer. They’re ridiculously easy, ready to eat in just days, and packed with nutrients.
All you need is a mason jar, some mesh lids or cheesecloth, and seeds. Rinse your seeds, soak them overnight, then drain and rinse twice a day. Within 3-5 days, you’ve got fresh, crunchy sprouts ready for sandwiches, salads, stir-fries, or just snacking straight from the jar.
Easy Sprouts to Start With
Alfalfa is the classic—mild, slightly nutty, and almost foolproof. Broccoli sprouts have a pleasant, mild flavor and are rich in antioxidants. Mung bean sprouts are commonly used in Asian cooking, thick and crunchy, perfect for stir-fries. Radish sprouts add a peppery kick to anything. Lentil and chickpea sprouts provide a heartier, more substantial option for grain bowls and salads.
Microgreens: The Next Level
If you want to go a step further, try microgreens. These are essentially baby plants harvested when they’re just a few inches tall—more developed than sprouts but still quick to grow. You’ll need shallow trays, some seed-starting mix, and a sunny window or grow light.
Sunflower microgreens are my favorite—substantial, nutty, and satisfying. Pea shoots are sweet and tender. Radish microgreens pack that spicy punch. Most are ready to harvest in 10-14 days.
I learned to grow microgreens last winter and wrote about it here:
There’s something deeply satisfying about snipping fresh greens onto your January dinner plate when there are two feet of snow outside. Your body craves that fresh, living food, and growing it yourself costs pennies compared to those plastic clamshells at the store.
*As a small business we often use links to share products we use but don’t sell. We earn a small commission on any items you purchase but it doesn’t cost you any more. We will always identify these items and be assured these are items we use in our work too!
8. Volunteer at a Thrift Store
This one might surprise you, but hear me out. When the winter blues hit, two things help enormously: getting out of the house with a purpose and connecting with other people. Volunteering at a thrift store gives you both.
You’ll have a reason to get dressed and leave the house on a regular schedule—which matters more than you’d think when it’s tempting to stay in pajamas until noon. You’ll be part of a team doing something tangible and good, keeping usable items out of landfills and pricing things affordably for families who need them.
Finding Your People
Here’s the best part: thrift store volunteers tend to be your kind of people. Fellow treasure hunters. Folks who see potential in cast-off furniture. People who get excited about vintage finds and love giving old things new life. I’ve met some wonderful friends through this shared passion for repurposing and secondhand style.
You’ll swap stories about your best finds, share tips on what’s worth looking for, and probably inspire each other’s next project. It’s a built-in community of like-minded folks who understand why you’d rescue a $5 chair with good bones.
Getting Started
Most Goodwill locations, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, and local charity thrift shops consistently seek volunteers. Stop in and ask—many are flexible about scheduling. Even a few hours a week gives you an anchor in your routine and something to look forward to beyond your own four walls.
Winter can shrink your world down to just home and errands. Volunteering expands it again.
9. Take a Baking Course
If the smell of bread baking doesn’t instantly lift your spirits, I don’t know what will. And if you’ve ever wanted to finally master sourdough, nail a flaky croissant, or learn to braid a proper challah, winter is your moment.
I’m lucky to live just an hour from King Arthur Baking Company in Norwich, Vermont—my sister and I are planning to take an in-person class together this winter. There’s something about getting out of the house, learning a new skill, and spending time with someone you love that knocks the winter blues right out.
If you’re not near Norwich, King Arthur offers online classes that are genuinely fun—real bakers walk you through techniques, answer questions, and make you feel like you’re learning from a friend. And of course, your local community college, cooking school, or even bakery might offer classes worth exploring.
Why Baking Works for Winter
Your oven heats the kitchen. Your house smells incredible. You end up with something delicious to share. And your brain gets so focused on getting that dough just right that it forgets to be gloomy.
There’s also something satisfying about building a skill over the dark months. By spring, you’re the person who casually pulls a perfect baguette out of the oven. You’ve got cinnamon rolls down to a science. You bring the homemade focaccia to every gathering.
Flour on the counter, dough under your hands, something golden rising in the oven—this is winter wellness at its most delicious.
10. Plan Your Summer—Make a Vision Board
“When the winter blues convince you that cold and gray will last forever, give your brain something warm to land on. Pull out the magazines, fire up Pinterest, and start dreaming about summer.
A vision board isn’t just crafty fun (though it is that too)—it’s a genuine mood lifter. Psychologists call it “positive anticipation,” and it’s one of the most effective ways to boost your happiness right now. You’re not just cutting and pasting pretty pictures. You’re giving your mind a destination, something warm and bright to land on when the gray days feel heavy.
What to Put on Your Summer Vision Board
Think about what you want your summer to feel like, not just what you want to do. Maybe it’s:
Garden images—flowers you want to plant, that vegetable patch you keep meaning to start
Travel dreams—even if it’s just a day trip to somewhere you’ve never explored
Outdoor gatherings—the patio setup, the long table under the trees, friends with wine glasses
Projects you want to tackle when the weather warms
Farmers market finds, roadside stands, fresh tomatoes still warm from the sun
That porch moment—bare feet, iced tea, nowhere to be, maybe even a nap!
Make It Your Own
Go old school with poster board, scissors, and glue stick—there’s something satisfying about the tactile process of flipping through magazines and tearing out pages. Or create a digital board on Pinterest if that’s more your style. Put it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Let it pull you forward.
Winter won’t last forever, even when it feels like it might. Your summer vision board is proof—a little promise you make to yourself that bright, warm, abundant days are coming. And you’ll be ready for them.
In Closing
Even though I live in Vermont and have lived in New England my entire life, I am not a winter girl! I am easily susceptible to the “Winter Blues” and “Cabin Fever”. I have used all 10 of these approaches and will continue to do so. It isn’t always easy to break out of our comfort zones, but before the Winter Blues get a hold of you, it may be a crucial step for enjoying the shortened days of the winter months. Oh, and in case I forgot, laughter and having fun helps keep those winter blues at bay!
