In my neck of the woods, winter lingers for a long time, and it’s mostly gray for the duration. I’ve lived in a lot of different places with different seasonal patterns, but none of them have affected me quite as much as the bleakness of winters here. The absence of sunshine and the…nothingness…of the season never fails to get me down.

Whether you suffer from the occasional winter blues, full-on SAD (seasonal affective disorder), or something in between, it can help to have some coping mechanisms in place as we head into the coldest months of the year. Here are just a few that work for me.

Candles

Have you heard the term “hygge?” It was all the rage a few years ago. A Danish word that translates to something along the lines of “cozy,” it’s supposed to embody an entire feeling and experience, especially during the long, cold winters of Denmark. There’s a great book about it that’s very hygge in its own right, but one of the things it cites as essential to the hygge lifestyle are candles.

I have no doubt there’s science behind the flickering flame and the way it relaxes us and eases our tension. But I can at least speak to its effect anecdotally, and it’s magical!

For the past few years, my extended family has purchased beeswax sheets and wicking, and over our Christmas get-togethers, we roll dozens of beeswax candles to be used throughout the coming year. Then, we eat many of our suppers over candlelight (especially if soup is on the menu–don’t ask me why, it just feels cozier by candlelight!). It’s dark by suppertime anyway, so why not make it something special? It ups the comfort factor and gives me something to look forward to in the evenings.

Apart from meals, I love to burn a little candle after I’ve cleaned the kitchen (it’s almost like it “locks in” the cleanliness), when I’m reading, or before company comes.

Granted, many candles give off strong odors that can be problematic, as can the substances in them or the smoke and soot. If that’s the case for you, you might want to consider a soy candle that burns a little cleaner, or opt for a diffuser with essential oils instead. For cozy lighting, experiment with Christmas lights or fairy lights, or even strings of patio lights.

Sweaters

It goes without saying that winter is sweater season. You can get sweaters anywhere: new in stores, online, from thrift shops, etc. But if you want double impact with your sweaters–a pastime and something to keep you warm–consider increasing your collection of handmade sweaters.

I’ve always loved to knit, and fortunately it’s one of the things I can usually manage even in the midst of my worst flares. Over the past several years, I’ve experimented with making my own (with varying degrees of success), and now sweater knitting has become one of my favorite things! I love picking out beautiful yarns, dreaming up patterns, and watching them slowly take shape over the course of many quiet evenings.

If you’re looking for a great resource for free patterns (from sweaters to hats to just about anything you can imagine), you might want to check out Ravelry. It’s a community site that allows users to post patterns. Some of them are for sale, but many patterns are completely free. And it just may inspire you to create your own designs!

If you’re not able to knit, either because you’ve never learned or you don’t have the dexterity or physical ability, consider purchasing a handmade sweater or two. There’s something different about wearing clothes made by hand, and it just ups that feeling of coziness on a cold night! Local markets, Christmas bazaars, thrift stores, and online shops like Etsy are great places to find them. Or, if you know someone who knits, consider working out a trade in exchange for a skill you have!

Warm Drinks

Cold winters call for warm, cozy drinks: tea, hot cider, hot cocoa, coffee… There are so many options, and none of them are bad choices!

I happen to enjoy coffee drink mixes, especially in the winter, but so many of them contain things I can’t have, or have way too much sugar. A few years ago I created my own recipe, which I make now every winter. If there’s something on the ingredient list you can’t have, such as powdered milk, consider swapping it out for something different (or adding liquid non-dairy milk directly to your drink when you make it).

Makes 15 servings

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1 1/4 cups instant powdered milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup instant decaf coffee (works well with regular coffee too, I just only drink decaf)

Combine the ingredients and store in a jar or other air tight container. To make, just boil water and fill a mug, then stir in 1-2 Tbsp of powder to taste.

Photos and Artwork

Another great way to beat the winter doldrums is to surround yourself with smiling faces. Whether it’s putting photos up on your walls, setting out a few frames, keeping a digital frame nearby, updating your family photo albums, or just keeping pictures handy on your phone, it helps to see and remember easier times.

A few years ago, my in-laws got a digital frame that scrolls through photos, which they keep on their mantle. All of us have access to it via an app, so we can send pictures of the grandkids or fun events straight to their frame. When we all get together, we never fail to pause our conversation to discuss the pictures scrolling by, and it’s so much fun.

This past summer, I finally updated our family photo albums (which I hadn’t touched since my youngest was born several years prior–yikes!). It was a feat to get them all up to date, but it’s been so much fun since to sit down together and pore over the memories.

In our upstairs hallway, we have an assortment of different frames that hold many of my favorite family pictures. Some of them are goofy, others are from decades before I was born, and all of them showcase the faces of people I love most. It just helps me feel surrounded by love, and reminds me of all the people and experiences I’ve enjoyed.

Consider adding some new frames, maybe seasonal ones, or ones in colors that just make you smile, to keep closest to wherever you spend most of your time. Then fill them with photos that make you laugh or remind you of favorite memories. It can’t help but boost your mood and make you feel less isolated and at sea in the winter months.

If you’re not big on photos, consider framing or hanging mementos. For example, we gave out kazoos for our wedding favors, and I mounted one on a piece of wood and hung it in our room next to a copy of our wedding invitation. It brings back fond memories every time I see it! Downstairs, we’ve hung tiny wooden clogs that celebrate my family’s Dutch heritage, a copper maple leaf for my Canadian roots, and all kinds of art work the kids have created through the years. They brighten our walls, ground us in our rich past, and bring a smile every time we see them.

Color

The last thing that often helps me beat the winter blues might surprise you: it’s color. There’s something about color that can truly affect our mood (and there really is science behind it!)

If you find yourself feeling blasé through the winter months, consider changing some of the colors around you. Maybe you swap out throw pillows on your couch, or the color of your bedding. You could paint a wall or the frames on the pictures I mentioned above.

If you can’t change the colors in your home, consider changing the colors you wear, like in those sweaters we talked about! Wear some fun jewelry, add a colorful scrunchy to your wrist, or put on fun socks.

Color on your own person can help, too. Even if you don’t feel like it, take a moment to put on just a little makeup or to paint your nails. You might be surprised how much it brings your face to life, and makes you feel just a little more lively.

What about you? Have you tried any of these tricks to help you get through the winter, or do you have others that work well? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!