The darker nights, strong winds, and relentless rain tell us all of an approaching inevitability – summer is well and truly past, and the colder months are upon us.
If you’re one of those people who relish this time of year – perhaps you enjoy the cosiness of snuggling under a blanket with a hot drink on a cold day; the absence of flies, mosquitoes, and sticky heat; the beauty of the dark nights; or the chance to bust out your winterwear – more power to you.
Personally, I am firmly in the summer-loving, winter-dreading camp. I originally hail from England, where the blow of biting cold and bleak grey winters was softened by a few factors: it coincided with the holiday season, and could thus be subsumed into an essential part of festive celebrations; there was the occasional snow day; and all British houses possess this godsend of an invention called central heating – much more effective than anything we have here.
While I love a summer-based Christmas as much as the next person, a New Zealand winter has a comparative lack of upsides. It’s cold enough to be miserable, but not so cold that we enjoy the novelty of snow (here in New Plymouth at least), or (apparently) to justify investment in warmer housing infrastructure. The fact remains, however, that this cold period makes up at least three months of our year, through which we still have to live our lives. Additional to this absence of benefits is the fact that winter can be a particularly lonely time, where we have less energy and feel less cheerful – and it can come with a serious financial burden.
So – what to do?
Back in January, I was at the beach with a friend of mine, who told me of her goal to go swimming at least once a week, every week this year. She acknowledged that this would be particularly challenging in winter, but felt it would be of mental benefit overall, revealing that this was part of her grand plan to enjoy the colder months. “I’m making a list of things to do when winter sucks,” she laughed, finding herself already dreading the colder part of the year. This plan of hers really stuck with me. Often, I find myself spending the winter months waiting for summer to swoop in and save me from misery – admittedly not an especially worthwhile way to use my time.
And thus, taking inspiration from my friend’s preparedness – if you can’t bring yourself to look forward to the looming cold, then I think the best way to approach winter is by being ready to face up to it. Like how squirrels gather and store acorns, we can gather and store coping strategies, ready for when those lower temperatures hit. Here are a few of my ideas – I encourage you to use these as a starter, and seek out more of your own, until you have a robust, easy-to-consult, list of ways to calm the winter blues.
Some of the stuff below may seem painfully obvious, but they have this funny tendency (for me at least) to fade from the brain at the very moment you need them – so having a reminder to consult can be a huge help!
Zach’s list of things to do when winter sucks:
Indulge in warmth. Let’s start with a fairly obvious one – there’s nothing better than being able to warm up when it’s cold outside. Consider what ‘indulging in warmth’ might look like for you – whether it’s piling on the blankets, laying down the draught-stoppers, layering up to the max, cuddling a hot water bottle, snuggling into bed, turning on a heater, or all of the above. The best part is that this can feel like treating yourself, when you’re really just giving your body the warmth it needs!
Come along to the Koha Cafe. Perhaps a shameless plug, but we are an undeniably fantastic winter destination. We serve hot soup, hot drinks, and hot desserts (think churros and apple turnovers), and boast a truly cheery, upbeat environment that will also warm your heart. We’re open until 8:30pm on Tues-Fri, all winter long. Pay what you feel for a hearty, warming meal, or just come along and enjoy the vibes.
Get your heart rate up. I am sceptical of the way in which exercise is often touted as a panacea for every possible problem, but in this case, it does have one particularly fantastic benefit: it warms you up like nothing else. It might even make you feel good afterwards. I’m not recommending anything fancy – simply doing a few starjumps or calf raises on the spot; engaging in some gentle stretching or a youtube yoga tutorial; going for a walk; or even just doing something that requires you to be on your feet all lead to a warmer body – and thus, in my opinion, less suffering.
Make realistic social plans. What can you commit to? Maybe it’s a catch-up with friends over coffee, or soaking in community vibes at a local event. Maybe you always find yourself cancelling plans at the last minute because leaving the house when it’s cold sucks – in which case, maybe it’s organising a phone or video call with friends or family, or a virtual game night using skribbl or boardgamearena. Maybe it’s hosting a low-key movie night. Whatever it is, good social time is key for our wellbeing, especially during winter when it’s tempting just to hibernate – so know your limits and go for something you can realistically manage!
Try to think like a winter-lover. At the beginning of this blog, I mentioned a few reasons why people might enjoy the colder months. Even though you may not actively anticipate this time of year, it’s certainly worthwhile to reflect upon what you do like about it – what you will miss when it’s gone. For me – a fly-free kitchen is a joy, we’re approaching mandarin season, and Mount Taranaki looks his most beautiful when dusted with snow. No matter how small the upsides may be, they’re there – and they deserve acknowledging.
Enjoy the opportunities that winter offers. Similar to the above suggestion, but more practical. As I’ve already touched upon above, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a hot drink, but it’s also prime time to cook up a hearty stew or hot soup – pottering around in the kitchen will warm you up, too. It’s also an opportunity to slow down, however that may look for you. Acknowledging that with the colder months can come greater struggle, think about what you might be able to relieve yourself from (this is not an excuse to drop any and all social plans, though!) Now is also the time to max out on indoor activities – reading, doing puzzles, artistic pursuits, movie marathons – stuff that’s much harder to ‘justify’ doing when it’s blazing hot outside. Maybe you could make plans with friends or whānau which major on one of these indoor activities and kill two birds with one stone!
Know when to ask for help. Some winter blues are to be expected – no one feels positive 24/7. It can be useful to have a few ideas on hand when we’re feeling down about the season, but if you find that it’s all getting too much to handle, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s best if you can get the support you need (and deserve) sooner, rather than later. Reach out here to start the conversation.