While some folks head to warmer climates at the mere mention of “colder temps are on the way,” most of us tough it out and spend winter in good ol’ Indiana. A state well known for extreme weather of both the hot and cold variety where, in 2025, the mercury soared to 96 degrees in July and plummeted to as low as -10 in January.
Fortunately, the warmth and glow of Christmas can stall the winter blahs, throwing up roadblocks that keep them from getting a foothold in December. Surrounded by the sights and sounds and scents of the holidays, even the blusteriest winter weather doesn’t tend to get too deeply under our skin. It just feels more Christmas-y when there’s a chill to the air, and a glistening layer of powdery snow adds a bit more cheer to the season.
But once the Christmas tree comes down and the wreaths, garlands, and lights have been tucked away, life settles into the routine of a long, dull, hum-drum January. And in no time, our collective tolerance for bulky coats, snow and ice-covered roads, and whipping winds that chill to the bone grows thin. Even the promise of a clean-slate new year can’t keep the winter blahs from clawing at the last thread of holiday cheer.
It’s true that, sometimes, the quieter, less chaotic nature of January washes over a body like a gentle rain—for a week or two. But by the time the month nears an end, many folks have a raging case of the winter blahs. Unfortunately, for some poor souls, the bleakness of the season morphs the blahs into the more serious, clinical condition, labeled the winter blues.
The good news is, it’s possible to lessen the impact of winter on one’s psyche—even an Indiana winter. Consider these simple yet effective tips for warding off the winter doldrums.
Make an attitude adjustment
Guess what? Continually reminding yourself how much you detest winter is not an effective way to banish the winter blahs. In fact, such mental or vocal muttering will do just the opposite. So, remove the “I hate winter!” mantra from your vocabulary and purposefully replace winter-trash-talk with winter-friendly thoughts: steaming mugs of hot chocolate, thick, soft, toasty-warm socks, a crackling fire, a simmering pot of soup on the stove.
Hands off the alarm clock
While it’s soooo tempting to sleep in on dark, cold mornings, a regular sleep schedule is your best bet. Waking up at the same times on weekdays and on the weekends paired with a similar bedtime routine will better serve your mind, body, and mood through the cold, energy-sapping months of winter.
Stick to a schedule
Resist the urge to wile away the shorter, darker days of winter in a state of hibernation, with a plan to resume normal activities once the “weather breaks”. With Indiana’s erratic weather patterns, there’s no telling when winter weather will finally be behind us. So, make a point not to skip Tuesday’s book club, Thursday’s choir practice, or Saturday morning’s breakfast at your favorite eatery. Put on an extra layer, or two, grab gloves and a scarf and head out for business as usual. Your mental health will thank you.
Keep your mind active
Winter is the perfect time to launch a new hobby or dust off an old one. Don an apron and try a new recipe or revisit an old favorite. Learn to crochet or revive your love of painting. Tackle that drawer of photos you didn’t have time to put in an album last summer or dig out a jigsaw puzzle. Creative pursuits are a triple threat to the winter blahs as they provide entertainment, relaxation, and fulfillment.
Volunteer
Sign-up to assist at the local shelter or soup kitchen. Pitch in at the thrift store with the influx of first-of-the-year donations. Check on elderly neighbors for whom winter is especially isolating and dreary. Visit them often and lend a hand with groceries and errands. Giving of yourself and your time is a great way to boost your own spirits and brighten someone else’s day as well.
Plan something fun
A no-fuss game night where friends wear loungewear and bring whatever snacks they find in the pantry. A sit-down dinner party complete with hors d’oeuvres, sparkling beverages, and dinner attire. A potluck soup and sandwich supper for co-workers. The what doesn’t matter as long as it qualifies as fun to you.
Get some sun
It’s a bummer that the cold encourages most of us to stay inside where the sun and its vitamin D can’t trigger the release of mood-impacting neurotransmitters in the brain. But spending even a few more minutes outdoors each day can help. Even in Indiana where he cloudiest month of the year is January, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 70% of the time. All the more reason to be intentional about other “light absorbing” tricks: keep the shades up to let more light in, sit near windows whenever possible, change light bulbs to “full spectrum” bulbs that mimic natural light and have the same effects on the mind as the real thing.
The key is to proactively seek, and then follow through with, strategies that can ease the impact of winter. Even an Indiana winter.
Beth Steury, Author 