By Donna Beck-Erickson
I
magine, you’ve just gotten home from work. It’s around 6:00 in the evening. It’s already been dark for a bit. The wind has been howling and chilling you to the bone. You know you shouldn’t be tired, but you feel sluggish, have a hard time concentrating, and feel overall blah. You don’t understand why because you don’t really have a reason to feel this way.
It sounds like you have a case of the winter blues. You are not alone.
What if we could change the narrative and instead of complaining about the cold and dark, we could look forward to being cozy. Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga or hue-guh), is a Danish concept that generally has to do with creating an environment that provides us with a comfy, cozy, safe feeling, leading to happiness. But first, let’s start by learning about the winter blues with help from Bethany Lindemuth, a clinical social worker and owner of Copper Creek Counseling, a mental health practice in downtown Holly Springs.
Bethany helped shed some light on why, when winter rolls around, some people experience “winter blues.” It starts with having less sunlight in the winter months which can lead to a decrease in vitamin D, as well as lower levels of serotonin. Both vitamin D and serotonin production help us process our emotions. The decrease in these can contribute to the “winter blues.” In addition, more darkness can lead to increased melatonin production which can increase sleepiness. Other things that can be a factor are heredity, circumstances, environment, cultural, global workforce and even diet.
Some creative self-care and wellness suggestions offered by Bethany include such things as:
If you can’t get outside, stand or sit in front of the window and look outside to benefit from nature.
Push back against depression by putting your focus on things that give you energy, rather than things that drain your energy. Examples could be spending time with grandchildren or playing with a pet.
When we’re depressed, we tend to be very tense. So, any kind of physical movement can be beneficial because the more you can move your body, the better.
Bilateral stimulation soothes the nervous system. This is anything that is back-and-forth, such as walking, cycling, rocking, petting your animal, etc.
Right-brained, creative activities tend to calm the nerves.
Breath work helps increase oxygen flow.
Participate in social interaction with people that you love to connect with.
Find something you enjoy and volunteer. Helping others helps yourself.
Stepping away from the clinical perspective, let’s take a look at hygge. Denmark is considered to be one of the happiest countries, and much of that is contributed to hygge. Oftentimes this is experienced with friends or family but there are things you can do to create the environment on your own as well. The idea is to create a cozy, comfortable environment to aid in stress reduction.
Imagine being enveloped by scents that evoke warm feelings of childhood or happy times. Bake cookies. Bring the sights and smells of fresh cut flowers or potted plants inside your home.
Surround yourself with soft lighting to add warmth and tranquility, such as from the fireplace or candles, adding twinkling lights, or even simply opening your blinds or changing the bulbs in your lamp to a warm light.
Listen to music that connects you with a pleasant memory or happy emotion.
Create a comfortable area to enjoy these experiences. This could be your whole house, a room, or even a nook. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. You can simply add a comfy chair, soft blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows.
Snuggle into comfy clothing, whatever that means to you. Maybe it’s flannel pjs with fuzzy socks or slippers. Maybe it’s a warm sweater or sweatshirt that feels like a hug.
Next let’s add in some family, friends or loved ones. A sense of belonging brings comfort in itself. Perhaps you want to stay in and have people over for a potluck or just a friendly gathering. Focus on foods that bring comfort but also balance your diet. At your potluck, share a story about the comfort experienced with each dish brought. Possible things to include are a warm beverage bar, baked goods, soups, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins. Remember, the goal is to create a space where everyone feels safe and comfortable, so be mindful of that when choosing what you want to do and steer clear of controversy. Activities could include getting-to-know-you or cooperative games, a bonfire with s’mores, a book discussion, or dancing, to name a few.
Don’t forget about the kids! This gives you a chance to hang out with your inner child and live a second childhood, which you can do even if you don’t have kids! Engage your children in building a sheet fort, creating sensory bins, watching clouds or stargazing. Be like Olaf and include lots of warm hugs. You can even check out the children’s book, “Disney’s Frozen: Anna and Elsa’s Hygge Life” (by Heather Knowles) from the library to read with your kids. Schedule a playdate for them (and you). Make sure you include your furry kids, too, by taking them for a walk and petting, brushing or playing with them.
Whether your preference is to enjoy hygge in solitude or with others, the first step is to get comfy. Then decide on what you want to do. Activities that could be equally great solo as they could be in groups are such things as baking, scrapbooking, puzzles, crafts, or watching movies. You could also read a book, watch a sunrise or sunset, create a hygge garden, journal, or write old fashioned letters to loved ones. Exercise, either by yourself or with others. Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins are natural mood enhancers, which help combat the winter blues. Anything from a short walk, yoga, swimming in a heated pool, or stretching, to winter sports or dance. Create morning, evening, and general self-care rituals. Find time away from technology and social media. Treat yourself to a spa day, a vacation, or anything in between.
Hygge in Holly Springs
Relax and unwind at Bass Lake Park or one of our other parks and recreation areas. Take a nature walk along our many trails and greenways. Sit on the veranda of the Bass Lake Park conference center and soothe your nervous system by rocking in one of the chairs while gazing across the water. Enjoy the crisp, cool air with a warm drink and a blanket by yourself or with a few friends.
Find purpose through volunteering. Some organizations accepting volunteers are Parks & Recreation, Liberty Hospice, and UNC Health. If you have an interest, don’t be afraid to ask if they are taking volunteers.
Check out some books or movies from the Holly Springs Library. Maybe you’ll learn more about hygge or capture the hygge vibe.
Now imagine arriving home on a cold, dark evening to a welcoming environment that brings you comfort and joy. Anticipate and appreciate the warm twinkling lights, the scent of candles, your favorite nostalgic playlist and a cozy space where you can snuggle under a blanket with a warm drink and a good book by the fireplace. Time to slip into something comfortable so you can reset and re-energize.
Editor’s note: This article is not intended to be medical advice. If you are suffering from severe depression or anxiety, please consult a professional.
