I live on the coast of New England, where winter brings short days, snow, sleet and ice. How do you beat the winter blues in such a climate?

Tree branches can crack, power lines can go down. Cold viruses can make their way through my kids, picking them off one by one. Do I get sick too? Sure, but I’m already in a state of hibernation, so I don’t really notice.

Wintertime: dark, cold, long and miserable?

Or – maybe it’s a great opportunity to strike up some special routines.

Forest Bathing in the Cold: Evergreen Heaven

Recently, I went on a refreshing walk on this wintery forest trail. I went with one of my sons, who spearheaded the venture. He’s a hardy soul who loves to spend time in nature, no matter what the season.

 Ice and snow covered the trail, so we picked our way over the ground very carefully. The moss was bright green against the white snow – moss is much better adapted to cold weather than we humans. Moss can photosynthesize during the winter despite the freezing cold air.

Our slow walk was really a cold-weather version of Forest Bathing.

Have you heard about Forest Bathing? It seems to be a popular notion these days. Here’s the book I’m reading right now. Click here or on the cover image to see its page on Amazon.

The author, Dr. Qing Li, is a Japanese scientist. He cites lots of data to support the benefits, but he also brings a poetic enthusiasm to the subject. It’s clear that he absolutely adores trees and forests.

The forest walk I took with my son passed through bare, deciduous trees (maple and oak) mixed with evergreens, like spruce and fir. The moss was a bright, happy green, and the fallen leaves and needles were a warm hue of terra-cotta.

Our walk over the icy trail wasn’t long – maybe 20 minutes – but we both felt calmer and clearer when we were done.

The benefits of Forest Bathing are more welcome than ever during a cold, dark winter. I decided that it’s worth the effort to bundle up and make it a winter routine!

If you live in a part of the world with a difficult season- whether it’s winter or some other strain – Forest Bathing could help you too. Maybe there’s a forest trail, or city park with trees near your own home.

Even 20 minutes spent walking through the trees can revive your spirits!

Beat the Winter Blues with Printed Books

Maybe you feel the same way I do after reading text on a screen for too long – like a zombie with no brain waves, no personality of my own. One of the Undead.

Reading a printed book is different. The cover and pages have a tactile quality – and a rhythmic motion (that pleasant turning of the pages).

These little perks can help us to remember we’re alive and breathing, not zombies after all.

I’ve also noticed that when I read a printed book, I feel less like a viewer of a vast network of online media – and more like an owner of something.

I think to myself: “I’m holding an entire work with its body of thoughts, or its fictional story world, all between my two hands.” It’s empowering.

I have the same feelings when I hold library books, even though I don’t really own them. (Good news for the pocketbook!)

In fact, the Forest Bathing book that I’m reading right now comes from a local library.

Have you tried inter-library loans recently? I’m amazed at how well they work. The process of requesting books from other libraries is easy, fast – and free.

Whether you borrow printed books from a library, find them at book sales, order used books –  or buy them brand-new – it’s a great idea to keep some more printed books around your home, especially during the winter.

I like both ebooks and printed books… there’s a place for each in our lives.

Printed books take more effort to obtain, but they’re worth it, especially in winter.Having more printed books on hand during the winter months can make you feel empowered and make your reading times cozier and more special.

Beat the Winter Blues – Make Time for Afternoon Tea

It will be REALLY easy for me to stay faithful to this routine over the course of the winter!

When the sun sinks low and the weak winter light grows dim outside, I make a cup of tea, or even a whole pot if the rest of my family is interested (they always are when they’re home). In fact, I sometimes make 2 pots, one with black tea and one with herbal.

Black tea is my favorite, at least in the afternoon. I often grate some ginger root into the brewing water. Spicy!

Here’s a surprising fact you may not know: even though it’s caffeinated, black tea actually reduces your level of stress because it lowers one of the stress-hormones, cortisol. Here’s a link to a report in Medical News Today: Black tea really reduces cortisol

So, black tea may be caffeinated, but by one of those magic tricks of nature – voila! – it’s actually good for you.

I like that kind of magic!

Now, when sipping tea, it’s important to nibble on something comforting. Junk food doesn’t work, but neither does health food. Store away the super-optimized energy bars for some other time.

Instead, try something that’s not rich, but just a little bit special – like biscotti, or a simple cake, or traditional teatime scones.

Check out my recipe for the Afternoon Blueberry Cake pictured in the photo . It’s a tried-and-true favorite at my house, and it doesn’t take long to make.

What are some of your favorite ways to survive a harsh season, be it hot, cold, windy or always rainy? Leave me your tips by clicking on “comment” above, near the post title – I’d love to hear from you.

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