Wake Up at Sunrise
Daily Thanks
Start your day with a short exercise that beats back the doldrums of cold, slushy mornings: Sit down and give thanks. This can be in whatever form you want—a note on your phone, a document on your laptop, a scrap of paper next to the coffeemaker. Acknowledge five things you have to be thankful for. Then go get started on your day.
See Your Doctor
If you know you get depressed over the winter, go and see your doctor. She may recommend light therapy or even antidepressants, depending on how severe you say things get as well as your history. If you haven't had a checkup, that would also be a good time to get some blood work done to make sure your iron and hormone levels aren't contributing to malaise.
Vitamin D
Start upping your vitamin D, as low levels have been linked to depression. Ask your doctor to recommend a supplement and take it every night with dinner.
Declutter
A comfortable home is a happy place to return to. A cluttered one can, itself, lead to anxiety. Tackle the mess and spend the next few weeks decluttering your home, especially your bedroom, kitchen and spaces where you spend time in the evenings. You won't want to haul bags to Goodwill when it's below zero or when the lack of sunlight has already left you feeling depleted. Get everything ready now.
Brighten Your Living Space
Dark rooms feel cozy when all is well, but they are downright oppressive when you're feeling depressed. They may also contribute to your depression, since they absorb, rather than reflect, light that your brain needs to stay awake. Use some time now to repaint your space, or at least trade out the heavy curtains and light-blocking blinds for something that lets every ray of sun pour in.
Break Out the Essential Oils
Half your friends sell essential oils, so why not finally throw some business their way? The claims are often exaggerated, but the truth is that a nice-smelling home can calm and/or energize. Find ones that make you happy and start sprinkling drops on pillows and sheets. Add some drops to loads of laundry or create a room spray by mixing a few drops with filtered water and a clear alcohol like vodka.
