coping with the winter blues

oh, the winter. it is notorious for making me feel a bit blue. i need a little sunshine in my life. and as much as i love to snuggle up by the fire, winter has never been my favorite season. i'm more of a fall kind of gal. i'm probably scarred from that time i went out to play in the snow as a child, only to realize my boots had a hole in them when i was a few miles away from home. my toes went completely numb, and well, i don't think i've ever fully recovered from that incident ;). but really, winter can be a tough season for us all, so i've compiled a little list for beating those winter blues!

1 | put on some lipstick - "look good, feel good..." so put on some lipstick and get dressed up. it makes all the difference in the world.

2 | visit your local humane society or animal shelter - or, just adopt a puppy! atleast that's what we did ;). don't worry, it was definitely pre-meditated. above is petey, the little pup we babysat, but i can't wait to introduce our new puppy, sage, here on the blog! seeing a puppy literally releases dopamine in your brain and puts you on a 'puppy high.' i mean, how can you see such a face and not feel just completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy!?

3 | keep fresh flowers in the house - fresh flowers instantly brighten up a surrounding and make it more inviting. having a cozy home can help you relax and stay in a calm state of mind.

4 | exercise - you know that absolutely fantastic feeling you have after a workout [not to be confused with the feelings before a workout...]? all it takes is 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise to really get those endorphins flowing. not to mention, it's a great way to clear your mind and get some alone time.

5 | journal - i can't tell you how many times i have been feeling down or upset, and all it takes is a little journal session to turn it all around. i'm much more prone to internal emotional chaos in the winter, so i've found that keeping up with my journal is key. keeps me sane, you know...

6 | sip a warm drink - if it's gonna be cold outside, at least have a warm drink in your hand :). its your only chance to cozy up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of coffee .. my favorite way to spend the morning.

7 | eat your veggies - when i know i am taking care of myself, i immediately feel better. not to mention, getting in the kitchen and cooking can be so therapeutic.

8 | deep clean - forget spring cleaning ... i'm all about winter cleaning. a cluttered, dirty space can keep you from relaxing and cause feelings of anxiety. if you're going to be stuck inside during the bitter cold months, it's very important to make your space clean and inviting. then, when spring comes around, your deep cleaning has been done and you can spend more time in the lovely weather outdoors!

9 | get out of the house - you can so easily go stir crazy by spending too much time at home. bundle up, and get out there! there's little i enjoy more than grabbing my hubby and going out for brunch or dinner. it doesn't have to be anything fancy, just get out and explore. :)

what are your tips for staying upbeat and positive during the coldest months of the year!?

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all photos from instagram. follow along, here!