5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues on the Outer Banks

Short days, cold biting winds, no sunshine on your skin – ugh! Winter has arrived. While there are many joys to winter on the Outer Banks (less traffic, fewer crowds, beaches all to yourself, cozy days inside, an abundance of mosquito-free natural areas and spurts of milder temperatures), this season is a far cry from the lifestyle of sun, sand and saltwater that we all love on the Outer Banks.

As in any location, in winter many people here are prone Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a common mood disorder that affects millions every year. SAD is caused by reduced levels of sunlight and exposure to the sun, which can affect the body’s circadian rhythm, serotonin levels and melatonin levels. SAD can affect people at various levels, from debilitating depression to symptoms like decreased energy levels, changes in sleep routines and appetite, moodiness and decreased motivation. 

If you experience severe Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression in winter, you should see your doctor, who might prescribe light therapy, psychotherapy or medications. But if you experience mild Seasonal Affective Disorder, or intermittent feelings of the winter blues, as I do, here are five of my favorite tips for keeping your mood and motivation steady throughout the winter on the Outer Banks.

Photo: With the right clothing and gear, you can still do all the fun outdoor activities in winter, from surfing to walking to tennis.

Get Outside

To me, the best way to get over the dread of cold weather is just to get out there in it. If I'm feeling sluggish and unmotivated, I find that bundling up in however many layers it takes and going outside for a walk always elevates my mood. I can remember times of being inside listening to the cold winds howl and feeling such dread about going outside. But I have discovered that once I'm out in it, if I'm properly dressed, the cold is not scary, it's invigorating. One of my favorite ways to beat the winter blues is to walk straight into a blustering wind. I just ignore my mind's fearful chatter, bundle up and purposely stride straight into the cold, preferably on the beach or a pier. For me, it works every time. Tip: Deep breaths with extra-long exhalations through your nose help calm even you when you're cold.

Of course the Outer Banks also has many places where you can walk protected from the wind. Kitty Hawk Woods, Nags Head Woods, Jockey's Ridge State Park, The Elizabethan Gardens, Buxton Woods, Springers Point Nature Preserve, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and other places have great walking trails protected by towering trees. For a list of places to hike or walk on the Outer Banks, click here.

Another mood-elevating hack I use in the winter is to get some sun on my skin. I'll sit in a sunny spot protected by the wind – usually a corner of the porch – and just push up my sleeves or pull my pant legs up higher. All you need is about 10 minutes of sunlight on your skin to fuel vitamin D production.

Finally, one of my favorite hacks is to stand barefoot on the winter ground or beach sand for a few minutes. Even it it's just for a short amount of time, it really works!

Photo: The winter camellia blooms in The Elizabethan Gardens never fail to bring cheer on a cold winter day.

Move Your Body

Exercise is one of the best ways to beat the blues. While exercising outdoors has the benefit of giving you some sun exposure, moving your body indoors is also hugely beneficial to your health and your mood. The Outer Banks offers numerous gyms and fitness centers, including an indoor pool at the Outer Banks Family, YMCA, indoor tennis and pickleball at Pine Island Racquet Club, sweat-inducing hot yoga at OBX Hot Yoga and Kind Yoga. From traditional gyms and workouts to Pilates, barre, tai chi, jiu jitsu and more, you can find many ways to move your body. And just because it's cold does not mean there are not outdoor races and events as well. For a list of fitness facilities, click here.

Photo: A sound healing, restorative yoga or yoga nidra class at Ascension Studio OBX is a great way to practice deeply restful self-care.

Practice Self-Care

For all of my above preaching about being outdoors and staying active, winter is also a wonderful time to practice self-care. Without the distraction of beach and boat days, concerts and endless summer activities, winter is the perfect time to reflect, rest and take care of yourself. Focus on healthy sleep, healthy eating and hydration. Revisit hobbies that you love. Pop into a library branch or a local bookstore and stock up on books to read. Buy a journal and write in it. Book a massage or spa treatment or sit in a sauna or salt cave. See a list of spas and the like here.

I like to practice self-care with intentional rest practices like sound-healing, restorative yoga, yoga nidra and meditation. You can find offerings like these at Ascension Studio OBX, Outer Banks Yoga, Kind Yoga, Ocracoke Island Yoga and more. See a list of yoga studios here.

Socialize

It's easy to hole up in your house in winter and stay all cozy, but isolation can lead to depression and feelings of sadness. On the Outer Banks, there's no reason to stay home for three months. The calendar is filled with things to do every day of the week, from trivia nights and karaoke parties to movie clubs and art classes. The local senior centers and youth centers have long lists of activities and offerings. College of the Albemarle offers continuing education classes. See our list of Daytime and Nightlife events for ideas on ways to get out and be around people. 

Photo: One lively event that you don't want to miss this winter is Dueling Pianos. The second annual event for Dare Education Foundation, the event is sure to bring some sparkle to your winter. Get tickets soon!

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