A guide for the cold winter days

We are heading towards the end of the autumnal season, that time of the year when the weather has turned cold for good, rain clouds are a constant visitor, the leaves fall from the trees, the sun visits us rarely and the temperature has dropped dramatically. The wind starts scarring the utter layers of our body, hurting in its path any part of exposed skin. Our mouths become the chimneys we imagined them to be when we were kids, and our thick shoes cover the two heroes that take us anywhere we tell them to, our feet.

Yes, it is December, that time of the year when we instinctively look inside ourselves, trying to decipher that thing called ‘self’. And while doing that, sometimes, it can be confronting or unpleasant. While the weather gets colder as we speak, sometimes it feels difficult to anticipate what’s coming next. It is the time of the year when you go to work and it’s dark outside, and when you are done, well, it’s dark again. That can be very discouraging.

But do not fret, dear reader. Because I am here for you with some useful tips for the cold winter days to make you wise as an owl! I have created a short guide with things you can do to feel better when cold dark days are upon you. Hopefully, you will realize that cold weather can also be as exciting as the other seasons and perhaps this list can be an inspiration and a guide for the upcoming months. Some of the suggestions in this article are based on mindful living that if practiced often, can increase our daily sensation of blissfulness.

Create a safe space at home.

During summer we tend to go out more and enjoy the nice weather, but during winter we become more inward-looking, while we crave being at home more often. That means that having a safe space at home without distractions is vital. You can do that by creating a small space in the house just for your relaxation and winter introspection, also known as hibernation space (yeah, I just made that up). That can be either your couch with some comfortable pillows, your bed with your favorite blanket, or your office with some nice candles. Your space, your choice. Make sure that your space reflects your needs.

Extra Tip:

Since the holiday season has officially begun, it’s time for some Christmas decorations. Decorating your safe space with Christmas lights or a Christmas tree can actually be very beneficial for your mental health. As psychoanalyst Steve McKeown says, decorating for Christmas evokes feelings of nostalgia from when you were a kid. So, decorating can help you relive those happy moments, which can also reduce stress. So, what are you waiting for? I can hear the angel ornaments calling your name.

Put your phone away.

I mean it. Stop checking your phone every hour, whether you are at work or at home. Putting your phone away and focusing on one task every time is vital for being more productive. It is also important to remember that checking our phones constantly is not healthy. It is a huge distraction that doesn’t offer us anything.

Cook a meal for yourself.

Sometimes cooking seems like an obligation, something we need to do to survive. However, cooking can be super relaxing and exciting. And there’s nothing better than cooking a comforting meal on a cold night! Choose a couple or recipes (browse Pinterest for inspiration) you would like to cook and go for it. And don’t forget that cooking a nice meal for yourself or your loved ones is an amazing form of self-care.

Go for a walk in the park.

Put on some comfy clothes and go for a long stroll in the nearest park. Not only is walking good for you, but you will also have the chance to enjoy the crispness of autumnal weather and get some fresh air. I know, if it rains this is not ideal. But, at some point, it will stop raining, and walking in a park surrounded by the beautiful golden colors of nature can be very soothing and relaxing.

Put on cozy clothes.

This is probably my favorite of all autumnal hibernation tactics. I love wearing warm, comfortable clothes like soft sweaters and chill pants and watch Netflix for hours. If you like doing that too, invest in some comfortable “house clothes”, as I call them. When you are at home, you should not wear your pajamas, unless you want to go to sleep. This is also very important for people like me, who work and study from home because being in your pajamas or those tight jeans all day is not ideal. And it certainly isn’t productive.

Declutter.     

Start by cleaning your closet and checking for items you haven’t worn in more than two years. That means you don’t really need those clothes anymore. Or maybe it is time to start wearing them again. Donate the ones you don’t want or even sell them. I must admit, I love decluttering. Somehow, decluttering always makes me feel lighter in the soul. There is something in the reorganizing and the emptying of a space that is very relaxing, and it can help you get rid of the past and set new goals. Do the same with your office: throw away papers you don’t need and donate books you have already read. You will see that getting rid of things you don’t need can be surprisingly refreshing.

Call a friend to chat.     

Talking with the people we love is the best distraction. Call a friend and talk about your day. Even better, invite your friend for a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of red wine at your place and talk about your favorite autumnal rituals. Maybe you can watch a movie or a series on Netflix. What matters is to be present to each other’s company. There is nothing better than sharing these cold evenings with someone else. If that is not possible, then video calls can also work wonders!

Meditate.      

MEDITATE. The simple act of breathing in and out and being aware of it can make wonders. If you don’t know how to meditate, and you feel you need guidance, download Calm or Headspace on your phone to get the hang of meditation. Both apps include different types of meditation tactics and they can teach you useful tips you can incorporate in your daily life. I always say that if more people would meditate then there would be less violence and hate in the world.

Did you also know that meditation can change your brain? Dr. Narveen Dosanjh says that meditating can help shrink the amygdala, which is responsible for anxiety, fear, and stress. So, when we meditate often, we begin experiencing less stress.

Make yourself a cup of tea.      

The process of boiling the water, preparing the mug and brewing the tea can be quite meditative. When at home, make yourself some hot steaming tea, sit on the couch and enjoy every sip. Focusing on small moments like this one makes you aware of what really matters in life. You start appreciating every little thing that you never noticed before. And that is the route towards a happier state of mind. If you are not a tea person, you can do this with a heartwarming cup of coffee. It’s the ritual that counts.

Be kind to yourself.

This is what we all tend to forget sometimes, especially when we are overwhelmed by our busy schedules and routine. Being kind to yourself includes many things. Firstly, it starts by realizing your limits. You are not supposed to be a robot and complete everything you want every single day. Work is fine, but relaxing and taking care of yourself is even better. Only then you can be more productive and certainly more satisfied.

Secondly, start practicing gratitude. Name every day three things you are grateful for. You can write them down or just name them in your head. Practicing gratitude is important for us to recognize and appreciate the things in life that matter.

Lastly, spend some time on yourself. That means do those things you love doing more often. Read, walk, sport, get a hobby, go to the movies or to concerts, anything that brings you joy. I can already hear you complaining that there is not enough time in your schedule. That is simply not an excuse. Make time for the things you love. Doing the things that we love makes us instantly happier and more resilient to daily stress.

 

(Photo: Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. November 2015. Minolta dynax 7000i, Kodak Gold, ISO 200, 35mm film.)

The month of September

The wind blows strong outside the window. Its voice is strong, and it brings hundreds of uninvited rain-drops to the window of the house. They make small tickling sounds, like mice walking in the attic. It is late evening, on a dreary Monday. Who would have thought that the wind can bring so much change? The streets are wet, and every tree trunk planted on the pavement gaps starts smelling cold. It is September. For a while now. I call it the transition month. The slow summer nights have come to an end. Drinking cold beer on the porch, while enjoying the neighbor’s loud music has also stopped. Digging the ground with bare hands is gone. The flowers too are bowing their heads towards the earth, they are succumbing. Soon, their last buds will start falling too. Like the leaves from the trees. Slowly but consistently. September is the transition month. And the month when drinking hot steaming tea makes sense again. The scented candles are out of the cabinets, the heater is on duty again and the days are slowly becoming darker. There is a steady rhythm in the autumnal ritual. Everything seems to diminish in size, to go back to the simpler and the essential. The colors of Nature acquire a golden aura, as the sun sets in the evening sky. Tones of brown and orange are spreading everywhere. The rain clouds have left, and the smell of the wet ground invades the house through the open window. It is chill in the house. I stand up and close the window, with slow calculated moves. I draw the curtains and stop to look outside. So many things are changing, but so many stay the same. It is September.

Photo: Bourtange Fortress in Southeast Groningen. November 2017. The Netherlands. Minolta dynax 7000i, Kodak Gold, ISO 200, 35mm film.