It’s been a particularly cold winter here in Ventura County. We’ve all been grateful for some desperately needed rain, but the short days and low temps might be taking their toll on our moods. Winter months bring colder weather and darker days, making it difficult to enjoy the outside and make time for exercise. Plus, it’s not uncommon to experience seasonal affective disorder, which researchers believe is caused by decreased activity of serotonin, the brain chemical that helps to regulate our moods.
Fortunately, even if you’re spending a lot of time indoors, you can still take steps to prioritize your mental health. One suggestion is to try adjusting your environment. Let’s look at a few ways you can make your home cozy during the winter months to support yourself.
Create a place you feel safe
First, really think about what you want in your home environment. Ideally, you want a place you can come back to and immediately feel nurtured by.
That might mean making some changes. If you worry about what’s going on outside and feeling safe in your home, maybe try getting a smart doorbell camera. Or, if you have one and it constantly going off makes you feel on edge, maybe you take the app off your phone.
It might also mean establishing boundaries with people in your house. If you generally come home from work or school feeling drained, tell your housemates/family that you need some time to yourself to unwind before you socially engage.
It’s easy to slide into autopilot at home. Take this opportunity to think through your living situation. What would help you feel safe and supported there?
Soft colors and touches
What we see affects our mood. You’ve probably felt this yourself: a cluttered, dark space feels overwhelming, while a bright, open one gives you energy.
A lot of this comes from color psychology. The colors in your surrounding environment impact you. Green and blue are generally calming, while warm tones can increase energy.
Before you buy paint or redo your wall art, think about the hues, too. Lighter, less saturated colors can feel more calming, helping to make your home feel cozy.
Your walls aren’t the only place to play with color, either. To make your home feel nurturing this winter, bring out all your favorite blankets and other soft touches, like throw pillows, in colors you like. If you don’t have much to work with now, you can start checking local thrift stores to add cozy items on a budget.
Lots of light
When you think about coziness, light might not be the first thing on your mind. But it plays a key role in your mental wellbeing. A bright home helps with your mood and energy levels. Bright light is also linked to increased serotonin activity. So, during the day, try to get as much natural light into your space as you can.
When the sun sets early, it’s important to think through your home’s lamps and light fixtures, too. Mirrors can help to bounce existing light around the room, making it brighter. And, of course, this is the perfect time to use lots of candles.
If you’ve been struggling with seasonal affective disorder, you might also want to consider adding a light box into the mix.
Cozy, not cluttered
As you work to make your home cozy, don’t let stuff accumulate. Clutter can make you distracted, interfere with sleep, and heighten your stress levels.
Clear off your surfaces so you can start fresh. Then, add cozy touches that make you smile like candles, plants, and books.
Supporting your mental wellness can start at home, but it doesn’t have to stop there. If low mood, stress, or sadness have been clouding your winter and you want to talk with someone, we’re here.
