3 Steps to Feeling Good and Overcoming Your Winter Blahs

Ah, January. The holiday sparkle is gone, the credit card bills have arrived, and we’re all looking at a long stretch of winter like we’re stuck in a snow globe someone forgot to shake. It’s no wonder the “winter blahs” hit hard this time of year. But fear not! If you’re feeling more like a sloth than a sparkly gnome, it’s time to shake things up and ignite your happiness and self-love journey.

First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room—or maybe it’s just that half-eaten box of chocolates calling your name. Winter has a way of slowing us down, and that’s okay! But here’s a thought: what if you flipped the script? Instead of seeing this season as bleak, use it as a reset. Cozy up with a gratitude journal - how about the Lifeswerve Gratitude Journal - and jot down three things that don’t suck (bonus points if they’re funny, like “My grinch sweatpants are still socially acceptable attire”). Science says gratitude can rewire your brain for happiness—and it’s a lot cheaper than therapy. Although a good therapy session can be great after some holiday drama!

Need an extra boost? Check out the book The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. It’s packed with research-backed strategies to train your brain to see the positive—even when the weather forecast is just varying shades of gray. Or, if you’re more of a podcast person, listen to Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Her practical, relatable tips might just inspire you to pick up a small, happiness-boosting habit, like organizing that one drawer you’ve been avoiding since 2010.

Finally, remember to move. Seriously, get off the couch—even if it’s just to do a few stretches or dance like nobody’s watching (because, honestly, they’re not). Movement releases endorphins, which are basically happiness in hormone form. Plus, it’s hard to feel down when you’re pretending to be a dancing star in your living room.

Winter doesn’t have to be a season of gloom. With a little self-love, a dash of gratitude, and maybe a good book or podcast, you can turn those winter blahs into a season of growth.

So, grab your journal, your headphones, and your inner dancing star, and let’s ignite what’s possible.