6 R29 Editors On The Ritualistic Things They Do To Combat Winter Fatigue
Winter fatigue is a very real thing. The days are shorter, our body clocks are out of kilter and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or general lower mood may hit, all of which can affect our energy levels and leave us wondering why we’re tired all the time. The months from November to February can be tough to ride out.
At R29 we’ve been talking a lot recently about how out of sync our bodies feel. While there are plenty of scientifically backed-up approaches to winter wellness — less screen time before bed, getting daylight first thing when you wake up, etc. — hearing personal anecdotes can sometimes make changing winter habits feel more achievable. Not every hack is going to resonate (some of us use TikTok to switch off before bed, for example) so it’s about figuring out what works for you on an individual level and sticking to it.
These are the things R29 editors like to do to alleviate feelings of winter fatigue.
During the winter I make sure I’m consistent with both my vitamin D and iron intake. Winter is awful for the sun, and with olive skin I need to make sure I’m getting a considerable amount of vitamin D. It’s also apparently good for your immune system, which can take a beating when it’s cold and everyone around you seems to be coughing. There’s nothing like a lingering cold to lower my energy levels.
I am also iron-deficient so I need to stay on top of iron and vitamin C (to help absorb the iron). When you’re iron-deficient, one of the symptoms is fatigue. I can always tell when my iron levels are low because I’m noticeably more tired (though of course it’s always good to have a blood test to confirm this). During the winter months I’m better at maintaining a set routine, so it’s easier to take my iron supplements consistently.
Tanyel Mustafa, senior writerPhoto: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
My screen time goes up drastically as the days get shorter and shorter, and I get the most agonising tension headaches as a result. I then blame myself for not being more productive, which inevitably leads to more doomscrolling. I’ve found that steam helps me snap out of it by relaxing the muscles in my face, and my headache tends to go away after a while. It feels like being in a hammam — but without the prohibitive pricing of a spa day pass. My StylPro 4-in-1 Ionic Facial Steamer does a great job; sometimes I use it to warm up my towels for a hot compress on my eyes as well.
Venus Wong, senior writerPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
I consider myself a nature girlie (well, as “nature girlie” as someone who lives in London can be) and my weekly outdoor swim is something I really look forward to.
With the help of neoprene socks and gloves (bought on the cheap from Amazon), I lower myself into the pond’s dark, silky depths and let my thoughts slip away. Nothing matters but my breathing and the cold water as I slowly swim past leaves and acorns and ducks, all peppering the water’s surface like nature’s confetti. I swim all year round now and shockingly, I prefer it in the winter because there’s something quite special about pushing your body through the cold. It really clears your head and forces you to be mindful by focusing on simply surviving. It’s also more peaceful come winter, as the summer bathers fade away and only the hardcore wild swimmers remain. Once, after a hike in Wales, I braved the depths of a lake I found. Passersby thought I was mad but it’s one of my favourite memories. When I got out, my husband asked me, “What do you think about while you swim?” I stopped for a moment to think and I was shocked to realise: I wasn’t thinking about anything at all. As an anxious person whose mind is always racing, this was a really profound realisation and it’s when I grasped just how beneficial wild swimming can be.
Humeara Mohamed, contributing writerPhoto: Courtesy of Humeara Mohamed.
Winter is for sure a heavy-hitter in terms of emotions for me. The shorter daylight period, darker days, colder weather and overall feeling of SAD coupled with general anxiety always make for a tough time for me. I’ve learned a lot about how to deal with the winter blues since living in NYC because, despite the season or the weather, you have things to do. A major part of that is taking time to get outside and move my body, whether that’s running outside, taking a workout class or choosing to walk instead of taking the subway. Having a dog that I need to get outside to walk twice a day has been a game-changer in terms of getting outside for some fresh air. Even a short walk will do wonders for my mood.
Becca Sax, affiliate coordinatorPhoto: Courtesy of Becca Sax.
I do Morning Pages, which is a practice of writing three stream-of-consciousness pages in my journal every morning. The ritual is attributed to Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, and is a way to harness your creative self and untangle any thoughts and feelings that are swirling around in your head upon waking. After doing this for the last year and a half, I’ve learned that there’s usually A LOT going on in there — whether I’m still thinking about something that happened the day before, or anxious about the day ahead. Especially during the winter months, when waking up can be hard and when the festive season can amplify feelings of grief and loneliness and fear, setting about the pages first thing in the morning (sometimes in bed; other times only once I have coffee in hand) allows me to put things into perspective and reprioritise my day ahead.
Ebony-Renee Baker, fashion editorPhoto: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.
I am always cold. My hands often feel like 10 icicles; my feet like ice cubes. When winter arrives, this feeling increases tenfold for me. No matter how many layers I wear, it sometimes feels impossible to heat myself up. This is exactly why a heated blanket has come into my life and daily winter routine. I switch it on 10 minutes before climbing into bed and it just makes it more welcoming. The thought of my cold body having to slip under cold covers is unbearable. And then I always switch it off before I drift off feeling cosy, warm and cocooned under my duvet.
Susan Devaney, life directorPhoto: Courtesy of Susan Devaney.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
