Simple Ways To Brighten Your Winter Days

December has finally come, which is often a very exciting and festive time for many that they anticipated all year. The holiday season is in full swing with homes and stores being covered with Christmas lights both inside and out.

It also leads to a lot of people getting to spend more time with their loved ones, take a break from work or school, and have a moment to reflect on the entire year and prepare for a little reset to make the next year even better.

Unfortunately, it can also be a difficult time for some people, with the colder weather, shorter days, and added pressure to create what they believe to be perfection. This can lead to seasonal depression for them and can make even the simplest tasks feel difficult sometimes. While there is not a true cure for depression, there are ways that it can be dealt with, and almost non-existent at times.

Simple Ways To Lighten Winter Days

These small daily choices will not erase depression, but they can make the shorter, colder days feel a little more manageable and less overwhelming.

Make Sure There Is Plenty Of Light

Make sure there is plenty of light in your home when it is needed. Because the days are getting shorter in the winter season, it gets darker much sooner and the sunlight is becoming more limited, which can tire some people both physically and emotionally.

Filling your home or even a single room with extra light can make it easier to focus and harder to fall asleep when you do not want to. Allow the shutters to be open during the day time to absorb the most amount of sunlight as possible and use additional lamps if needed during the night time hours.

If you are curious about how light and mood are connected, Harvard Health offers an accessible overview of seasonal affective disorder and light therapy.

Make Sure You Feel Warm Enough

Try to make sure you are feeling comfortable temperature wise. Many of us can be a bit sensitive to the cold and being down in the dumps can contribute to feelings of unwanted and uncomfortable coldness.

If you ever feel colder than you are comfortable with, perhaps this is a sign to turn up the thermostat, throw on a sweatshirt or some other type of jacket, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, or even start a fire in the fireplace, whether it be artificial or real.

Allow Yourself Time To Breathe And Take A Break

Allow yourself time to breathe and have a break. The Christmas season is often one of the most stressful times of the year, whether it is related strictly to preparing holiday festivities and memorable moments, such as shopping or planning for the loved ones’ visiting or even due to a new load up at work.

Regardless of what is on your mind, it is important that you have a moment to not think about work and relax. This can include reading a book, watching a movie, or even having a little nap.

If you want more ideas you can layer into your routine over time, The Mental Health Toolkit You Can Build Without Spending a Dime offers gentle, low-cost ways to support your mind day to day.

Make Time For Friends And Family

Make time for friends and family. Sometimes, being alone too much can amp up seasonal depression, especially when thoughts such as, “I have no one,” or “I have to do everything myself,” penetrate the mind.

Similar to making time for a break, it is important that there is time for friends and family, especially since the holiday cheer is always best shared with others and not by yourself.

Be Kind To Yourself And Those Around You

Be kind to you and everyone around you. Oftentimes, people set unrealistic standards for themselves during the season, believing that if every little detail is not perfect for the big day, everyone will be disappointed in them.

However, a lot of the people they are trying to please don’t need everything to be perfect. Remember that most people will remember what is there rather than what is not there at the end of the season and they will most likely rather see you happy rather than the most extravagant meal at the table.

If you find yourself wrestling with perfectionism, you might appreciate The ‘It Girl’ in 2025 Isn’t Perfect—She’s Present, a reflection on choosing presence over performance.

Let This Holiday Season Be Gentle

As December unfolds, remember that it is okay if this season feels different than what you see in movies or on social media. Taking small, intentional steps to care for your mind and body can make the weight of the winter months feel a little lighter, even if everything is not perfect.

Listening To What You Need

Give yourself permission to slow down, to ask for help when you need it, and to notice the moments of comfort and connection that are already around you. The holidays do not have to be flawless to be meaningful; sometimes, simply making it through with kindness toward yourself is more than enough.

For more encouragement on treating yourself with gentleness, you can also read Mending Invisible Frays: How Kindness Heals What Words Can’t.