Eight Creative Things You Can Do to Improve Your Mood During Winter

At 2:00am this Sunday, daylight savings time will end. Most of us will experience less exposure to sunlight. Some of us may even experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes, typically starting in fall and continuing through winter. It’s linked to reduced sunlight exposure, which disrupts circadian rhythms, lowers serotonin levels, and increases melatonin, leading to symptoms like low mood, fatigue, and loss of motivation.

Even if you don't have SAD, you might just be a bit moody, grumpy or irritable. There's a ton of info available about things you can do to manage these feelings. Here's a post I wrote earlier this month. While I still think the recommendations in this post are solid, I decided to learn more about what other, and perhaps non-traditional, things we could do to deal with these imminent shorter days and longer nights. Here's a snapshot of what I learned. I've crunched it down into eight creative things you can do to improve your mood during winter.

Here Comes the Sun

Transform your bedroom into a sunrise space, where you gradually increase light each morning with smart bulbs or sunrise alarms. Adding plants, warm colors, and cozy seating can make it a bright and inviting space to start the day, helping you feel more awake and positive.

Yosemite in Your Living Room

Set up a small garden space indoors with fragrant plants, a mini fountain, or a terrarium. Nature sounds, like birdsong or flowing water, can add a refreshing touch.

Vitamin D Hubs

Vitamin D has many health benefits including mood regulation. Why not create places in your home with sun lamps or light therapy devices that you can rotate among rooms. This way, you can access light therapy at different times or places in your routine, like while reading, cooking, or working.

Picture Perfect

Try taking one photo every day of something beautiful or unique that you see. Documenting the beauty of the colder months can help reframe your experience. Reflecting on these can help you stay connected to positive moments, even on gloomy days.

I Know It's Cold, But...

Get outside and do some light stretches or exercises in the morning. Starting your day with fresh air and light physical activity outdoors —even just a few minutes, can be an effective way to boost energy and mood.

Music is Good

Curate a seasonal playlist that feels bright and energizing, with songs that encourage movement or lift your spirits. Pair this with regular listening sessions while doing small tasks, giving you a dose of positivity and motivation.

Art is Fun

Paint or create a collage with bright, vibrant colors like yellow, orange, and green, which are known to have uplifting effects. Place it in areas you pass by frequently to create areas of visual brightness around your home.

Scents Matter

Implement aromatherapy. Scents like citrus, peppermint, or eucalyptus, can energize and brighten your mood, while lavender or chamomile can help with relaxation if you're feeling restless.

While these creative tips aren't guaranteed to improve your mood, at least you might be distracted from the darkness and cold for a while. Regardless, the second Sunday in March really isn't that far off.