Winter Blues aren’t so bad

Winter Blues aren’t so bad ...

When I check the weather today I am reminded that we have just passed the shortest day of the year and while that’s great, do you ever feel, like me, that the worst of our weather comes as the sun begins to head our way again?

According to the experts, that’s because our orbit around the sun is continuous and it actually takes some time for the earth to heat up or cool down, so the seasons change gradually.

Vincent Pedre, MD at Mt Sinai Medical Centre in New York says “winter cold can make you feel sluggish because of the increased energy demand on your body”. All sorts of experts will tell you that cold and grey skies provoke moodiness and gloom but that keeping warm is “a surprising secret to feeling merry”.

When the wind is howling and it’s wet and cold, we snuggle up with a warm throw – our newest ones are truly lovely. I like to choose between either the NEW blue stone Paradise throw, with its matching cushion, or the ultra-soft moonlight blue mohair throw. Sometimes we even grab a hottie, or heat up a wheattie bag to help us relax.

1 - COCONUT CHAI HOT TODDY (creamy mix of coconut milk and water, with dark rum)

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ¾ cup water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or other sweetener
• 1 chai tea bag
• 2 ounces dark rum
• cinnamon

Add the coconut milk, water and sugar to a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.  Remove from the heat and put the tea bag into the mixture and let this steep for 5 or so minutes.  Then add the rum, stir, and pour into mugs.  Sprinkle cinnamon (or any other spices you fancy) and enjoy!

We have lots of other ideas too: if you are feeling a little gloomy, a ‘new look’ to our surroundings really cheers us up.  Include the family… for teenage daughters, warm up their bedroom and their spirits with a hot pink velvet hand stitched throw. The chevron hot pink cushion is a good match for a whole new look.

 

If your son is growing out of meccano sets and into computer games, change his bedroom look with a dramatic black geometric throw with a contrasting black Ikat dot cushion.  

 

 

And if there’s a wee one, we have just unpacked the sweetest knitted baby blankets, warm and cuddly with cute bunnies, sheep and foxes – my favourite. 

 

 

 

Oh, and one or two other ‘expert tips’ for keeping winter blues at bay – socialise a little more than usual (even if it’s hard to leave the house) – just make an extra lunch or coffee date with a friend, or invite people over for one of those hot toddies and to watch the footy.  

 

 

Stay Warm everyone!