The winter months are sometimes tough to get through mentally. When I put myself in summer mode, my mood boosts. Here are my tips on how to beat the winter blues.
Retirement planners always ask you “What’s your retirement dream?”
Some might say to play golf everyday, to travel to the corners of the world, to dive into hobbies like painting (hi mom!), or to simply enjoy the cozies of home with a book and tea without the stress of work.
My life goal dream is to spend my winters somewhere warm and sunny.
My bones ache for the warmth of the sun this time of year. While I do love my winter walks and winter sports, this season is just too long overall. (And I know some of you live in places far colder for far longer – I don’t know how you do it!!)
The years it has been possible we’ve traveled to St. Lucia and The Keys in the colder months, but this year we are obviously staying put. (Although with virtual school, this would have been a good year to plant ourselves on an island for the month of January!)
Just doing some of the summer routine in the winter tricks the mind into a summer vibe
So, I thought, if I can’t go to the Caribbean, I will bring the Caribbean to me!
How To Beat The Winter Blues:
Put on beach music
The Beach Boys. Reggae. Kenny Chesney.
Make a tropical drink.
Embrace the pineapple with Julie’s Pineapple Mint Sangria, this Paloma with grapefruit, or this Summery Rose Cocktail, which looks right up my alley! Or stock up on Coconut LaCroix!
Follow resort Instagram accounts.
Like this one. Take me virtually to the Maldives!
Warm your body
If you have a safe way to do it, go to a sauna, an indoor pool, a hot tub or simply take a hot bubble bath! Make your body feel like it’s summer and sweat.
Shop for a new bathing suit, summery clothes, or patio furniture
They might be on sale! Check out my Amazon black bathing suit post from this summer, summer fashion favorites post, and porch furniture. Think ahead to your pool bag!
Watch Moana with the kids
Or your favorite beach movie. Or Survivor!!!
Eat all the tropical fruit
Bonus: it’s in season! Grapefruit, mango, pineapple. Get it frozen or order the tropical smoothies from Daily Harvest. Make coconut sorbet.
Have a summery dinner
Like burgers or skewers with pineapple or cold peanut noodles or summer pasta salad.
Read a good island novel.
I love anything by Elin Hilderbrand. (It’s prob not surprise I have never read any of her winter books – only the Nantucket summery ones!)
Wear tropical scents
Like this melting body balm with monoi flower! Or Citrus Mimosa Body Butter. Or just put on some sunscreen!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Love these ideas! I can’t wait for springtime! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Denise says
I live in San Diego and even I need to go somewhere warmer ha ha! I try to get out in the sun every day, and lately I’ve been enjoying some beautiful sunsets that feel like the height of summer. And seeing my social media memories of when I went to the Dominican Republic in February!
Kath Younger says
And I would love to go to “Sun” Diego <3
Julie says
Great ideas 🙂 I definitely like Elin Hildebrand books to take me away!! Your post put the idea in my head to see if there are beach/coastal rides on Peloton too (the ‘Just ride’ rides…)
Tracy says
I loved this post so much! Just reading it put me in a good summery mood. These are some great ideas.
We have been blessed with a pretty mild winter in Kansas City so far, but I’m still counting down the days til summer.