Living Happily Ever After at Lake Tahoe
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Winter officially begins in just a few weeks, and with that comes the holidays, ski days and snow days. As exciting as the winter season is, it also comes with many changes and challenges. Shorter daylight hours, colder temperatures, threats of power outages, traffic jams and even planning holiday events and shopping can all add stress to our day-to-day lives.
Staying active helps make winter fun! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect people in various forms and degrees. Dramatic changes that come with the season can bring on symptoms such as decreased energy levels, changes in routines, periods of isolation and decreased motivation. It’s important to recognize the symptoms to help combat the blues and make steps to be the best and happiest version of yourself.
Below, I have listed five tips to help you beat the winter blues and enjoy the season to the fullest. I hope you find them helpful!
Enjoying the sunshine, getting fresh air and staying active helps beat the winter blues. Photo Credit: Tahoe Donner
Reap the Benefits of the Great Outdoors
Although the sun might not be out as long, it’s essential to seek it out and reap the multitude of benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, sunlight exposure can activate serotonin production, helping to elevate our mood and boost our energy. Sunlight provides a natural source of Vitamin D, which has also been proven to regulate our energy levels and emotions, alongside additional benefits such as decreased inflammation, improved muscular function and increased cognitive functions.
And on the days where the sun is hidden by the clouds and snow? It’s still essential to get some time outside. The crisp, cool air will give you a natural wake-up call, and inhaling fresh air helps clear the lungs and bolster the immune system. Since colds and the flu can be common in the winter, it’s important to ensure that you can build a resilient immune system. Getting out of your house, breathing in fresh air and taking in the gorgeous alpine landscape is a great way to break up the monotony of your daily routine.
Even 20 minutes can make a big difference, whether that's sitting on a bench and taking in the sunshine and scenery, taking a stroll through the neighborhood or participating in a fun winter activity (more on that in the next section). Getting outside adds excitement to the day, and many benefits to improve your mental and physical health.
Get Your Body Moving
The Tahoe-Truckee region is home to an endless supply of opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities. I believe the region truly comes to life in the winter. With centrally located downhill skiing and snowboarding resorts, cross-country ski centers, snowshoeing trails, snow parks for sledding, skating rinks and local parks to take walks and build snowmen with the family, there is truly something for every age, level and hobby to enjoy.
The thrills you get from riding down a ski run, completing a cross-country trail or trying a new sport can help keep you motivated to continue pursuing activities and adventures throughout the season. Studies show that people need goals to look forward to, and when combined with physical activity, goals can increase dopamine and cognitive abilities. Plus, these exciting activities provide breaks in the routine, which can help you from getting stuck in a mental rut.
Got a few bad weather days in the forecast? There are plenty of opportunities to get moving! Consider signing up for a hot yoga class or indoor rock climbing. High Altitude Fitness in Incline Village and Truckee offer opportunities for both, and you can purchase a day pass at the front desk.
Movement is crucial to combating the winter blues, and according to UC Davis Health, adding fitness to your daily routine can help provide mental and physical stimulation to boost your mood and energy levels. Plus, it offers a chance to be social in a fun and active environment. You're likely to make new friends with shared interests in a setting that fosters human interaction.
Got a bad weather day? Try a new activity such as rock climbing! Photo Credit: High Altitude Fitness.
Foster Healthy Habits
Balance is essential, and in addition to prioritizing fresh air and exercise, it’s important to include nutrition, hydration and rest to ensure that you don’t get bored or burnt out. With an abundance of outdoor adventures, the Tahoe-Truckee region is an extremely health-conscious community. This collective mindset helps provide motivation and resources necessary to cultivate healthy and sustainable habits to enjoy the season to the fullest and for longevity.
To start, it's essential that you stay hydrated throughout the day. Not just with water, but also with added electrolytes to help keep you regulated. These include potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium and can easily be added to your water from packets in powder (most common) or liquid form or taken as a supplement in chewable or pill form.
Having a consistent, balanced and nutrient-dense meal plan is also crucial. During the winter months, it can be easy to want comfort food and convenience, but to stay energized and properly nourished, it's important to optimize your diet accordingly. Make sure to get a nice balance of protein, vegetables, fruits and healthy carbs. Soups and stews provide a hearty and warm meal that packs a punch. You can add proteins, vegetables, broths and spices to create a healthy, delicious and satiating meal. These are also perfect for meal prep!
To help you create a healthy routine and stick with it, I recommend scheduling your activities, meals and sleep times in a journal. This helps me outline the day, be consistent with my habits and stay motivated to continue achieving my goals.
Be Social
It can be easy during the colder months to want to go into hibernation mode. But studies have shown that isolation for a prolonged period can negatively affect the human psyche. Humans are social by nature, and it’s imperative to make sure that you keep in contact with your loved ones during the winter to avoid feelings of loneliness or detachment. Schedule time to see your family or friends with fun activities such as exploring new cafes to catch up over hot chocolate or finding new trails to explore via skis or snowshoes.
If your loved ones don't live nearby, schedule a phone call or video chat. The sound of someone's voice can uplift your spirits and foster feelings of connection, which is imperative to combat feelings of isolation. Plus, it's always fun to share exciting updates, relive memories and joke about the craziness of day-to-day life.
If you are looking to make new friends and connect with the local community, there are plenty of fun events in the Tahoe-Truckee region, such as film festivals, comedy shows and courses to learn new skills. You can see a huge list of Daytime and Nightlife events on Lake Tahoe This Week, and below are just a few happening this week to help get you started.
December 7: Holiday Maker's Market in Tahoe City
December 8: Magic Fusion Starring Mark Kalin
December 9: Mindful Art at Bliss Tahoe
Make new friends and meet local vendors at the upcoming Maker's Market! Photo Credit: Tahoe Backyard.
Prioritize Sleep
Getting a proper night of sleep is imperative to ensure that you are performing and feeling your best. Although winter is often correlated with hibernation, recent studies have shown that people can experience difficulties sleeping during the colder and drier months. Below, I have outlined some tips I find helpful to create and follow an optimized sleep routine.
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Turn off your screen an hour before your desired bedtime. Disconnecting from your devices will help you be more rested and mindful of the present moment.
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Create a calming environment. This can include setting ambient lights and sounds (I love binaural beats and healing frequencies) and getting warm under cozy blankets.
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Calm yourself down. Some techniques I use are stretching, journaling, focusing on breathwork and meditation.
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Stick to your schedule. I try to go to bed around the same time each night to ensure I get enough rest.
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Use a humidifier in the room.
I hope you found these tips helpful, and have a happy and exciting winter season!
Sources: National Library of Medicine, Schlitz Aubudon Nature Center, UC Davis Health
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
