If you’re like me, the cold, dark wintery days can sometimes make you feel depressed and unmotivated. Some of you may even experience what doctors call “Seasonal Affective Disorder”, where a person may undergo major depression, seemingly triggered by the reduction in exposure to sunlight, which is typical in fall and winter months. Well the good news is, there are ways to beat this seasonal disorder, and there are even many wonderful things to look forward to during the winter months—like great wintery dates!
Let’s start out by exploring why winter can be the most romantic season! Here are some ideas for first dates during the winter season, and of course these dates apply to long-term couples as well!
Date Idea #1: Keep an eye on the weather report and choose a not too cold, snowy night to take your date out to a restaurant close to where you live! Take a cab to dinner and afterwards walk the few snowy blocks home with your date. Walking and talking with your date in snow flurries is the best and so magical, grab his or her hand to stay warm! (Side note: walking after meals is also great for digestion!) Once you get home, have some hot cocoa ready to make. Snuggle up on the couch with your date – have good conversation and simply enjoy each other’s company! A fireplace would also be ideal in this situation, but you can make do without! P.S. If you enjoy spiked cocoa, check out this heap of alcoholic cocoa recipes!
Date Idea #2 (For NYC residents or visitors!): Choose a clear, not too cold night to take your date out for festive drinks at an upscale but low key, bar or lounge! You can also go out to a nice café and grab some tea or coffee if you prefer! Afterwards, take a walk over to 
Rockefeller Center to see the beautiful Christmas tree. Next, take the elevator up to the observation deck and enjoy the breathtaking view of NYC with your date! Purchase timed tickets ahead of time to avoid lines! Keep in mind the last elevator goes up at 11pm.
Date Idea #3: Once again, keep an eye on the weather report and choose a not too cold
day to surprise your date with a romantic sleigh ride! Leave either late morning or mid-afternoon and spend a few hours out during the day with your date. Be sure to choose a location close to a café or somewhere you can warm up and enjoy a nice little lunch or dinner afterwards!
Date Idea #4: Spend a romantic New Years Eve wining & dining with your date instead of the wild pre-gaming and crazy New Years Eve norm with your friends. Make your best in-home meal, you can even cook together, and then go out to a classy yet laid back lounge (suitable for couples) to continue on the latter part of the evening and celebrate your midnight kiss!
Now back to the winter blues and the appropriate remedies!
Okay, so I usually find that I feel pretty good up until after the holidays have passed – then after all the hype of fun festivities has gone down I begin to dread winter, this is usually from January onward. If you feel the same way, take some tips below for how to avoid the winter blues!
1. Eat Healthy: When you eat well you feel better! Avoid processed foods such as white breads, sugar and avoid junk food in general. You might crave more of these during the winter season but they will only make you feel (and look) worse in the long run. These kind of foods will mess with your energy levels and can affect your mood negatively. Be sure to eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grain rices and bread, veggies, good & natural sources of protein, and fruit. These healthy foods will nourish your mind and body, ultimately stabilizing your blood sugar and energy levels.
2. Exercise: Keeps you fit & boosts metabolism WHILE providing you with higher levels of energy and more serotonin (the happy hormone!) Embrace the winter season by taking up a winter sport like skiing, snowboarding or iceskating.
3. Get some sun: Vitamin D is provided by sunlight and improves your mood. But in winter, days are shorter and often darker, and since it’s cold outside we tend to stay inside more. Make it a point to go outside for a walk on a sunny day; keep your shades up, sit near windows wherever you go. You can also try changing the light bulbs in your house to full spectrum light bulbs—these have the same affect on the mind as natural sun.
4. Supplement with vitamins: You may need to take some vitamin D supplements during the winter months to improve your mood, mind & body function. A vitamin B complex is also great for this. Be sure to take vitamin B with meals, though!
5. Don’t binge drink: Alcohol is a depressant, silly! Drink moderately and avoid drinking if you are already feeling depressed!
6. Rest & Routine: Don’t cut yourself short of sleep during the winter months – this is when you might need rest most. Try to sleep 7-8 hours every night. Stay on a routine so your body and sleeping patterns normalize, that way you’ll have more energy!
7. Socialize: Spend time with family and friends, surround yourself with people who love you.
8. Set goals for yourself in order to stay motivated!
9. Relax: We often get busy with all that goes on during the fall and winter months, holidays, etc. Some find themselves working harder to keep extra money coming in to buy Christmas presents, make decadent holiday meals, etc. Don’t forget to relax and take some time for yourself. As my Grandma says, “Health is wealth!”
10. Keep your spirits high and enjoy the winter season as much as you can!
I hope you all enjoyed this post! Good luck with your dates (especially the first ones!), and with avoiding the winter blues!
xx Samantha
