“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.”

Paul Theroux

It happens every year. The moment the beauty, excitement and wondrous feelings of the holidays come to a close, winter smacks you straight in the face! It’s not the magical “dreaming of a white Christmas” type of winter, where the first snowfall of the season is the best thing to ever happen. Where everyone is happy, bright and ready to celebrate!

No, the kind of winter I’m referring to is the one that plummets below the zero mark – taking away any chance of warmth! A winter that casts a gloomy spell upon the sky and an even deeper gloom in your heart. When this type of winter strikes, you are in it for the long haul! Unless you were organized enough to plan an escape vacation or happen to be one of those brave, yet crazy people that actually like winter activities, your next few months are spent locked up. Sounds rather depressing, huh?

It’s actually not that bad, well most times. These long, dreary, winter days make the arrival of spring that more spectacular. There’s nothing like watching nature come alive again! The birds starting to chirp, the snow (which at this point has become a very gross brown) starting to melt. Life starts anew and it’s great! But we are months away from that moment, so how does one survive the winter blues? That’s where bright light therapy can help. Also known as phototherapy, it involves exposure to specific levels of light under controlled conditions. It’s a common treatment for seasonal affective disorder the “winter duldrums” that set in when the days grow short during fall and winter. circadianoptics.com suggests light therapy can be effective in treating insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dementia. Studies have shown that it can improve motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

We’ve compiled some things that we are Currently Loving, and downright needing, to see us through the coldest months of the year! 

 

“I prefer winter and fall when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.”

Andrew Wyeth

 

Healthy and beauty starts from within

Beauty Dust by Moon Dust

$38

Cook a delicious, healthy meal

Clean Slate Cookbook

$19.90

Get that much needed Vitamin D

Light Therapy Energy Lamp

$89.95

 

Dark chocolate is the cure for everything!

Raaka Virgin Chocolate Bars

$7.95 – $8.95

Get outdoors and exercise!

Women’s Ice Skates

$79.99

 

Escape the cold with a good book

Little Fires Everywhere

$15.25

 

Rock out to music or check the weather

Amazon Echo

$99.99 

Snuggle up in the warmest of blankets!

Faux Fur Throw in Grey Fox

$118.90

Treat yourself to a relaxing soak in the tub

Kalahari Desert De-tox Bath Salts

$75

 

Focus on the positive things in life

52 Lists for Happiness Journal

$16.95

Fill the air with smells of a fragrant garden

diptyque Baies Scented Candle

$34 – 64

Warm socks are the key to life!

Fleece-Lined Slipper Socks

$13.99

 

Fresh flowers always brighten my day

Rebecca Vases

$12 – $18

Boost energy + immune system

Organic Green Adaptogen

$33

A bath with candles + wine = heaven!

Live Edge Wood Bath Caddy

$69.95

 

Currently Loving is our blog series where we curate a wonderful list of unique, beautiful or useful products that we have recently purchased or are deeply in love with. Often we base our list around a theme, so shop, have fun and share with us what you bought! We do receive a small kickback for any items purchased if listed through one of our affiliates.

Featured photo by Alisa Anton  /  Girl in red hat photo by Tim Gouw   /  Snowy city photo by Emanuel Hahn