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Winter blues are real. If you’ve never felt them, consider yourself lucky to get through the darker months without a mood slump. But many of us feel otherwise. It’s easy to fall into sadness, monotony or that quiet woe-is-me attitude that settles at your heart and mind during this season. I miss going outside to explore nature, I’m not a fan of the freezing temperatures, and I’m the oddball who’s perfectly fine never seeing snow.
These months can be tough, but they don’t have to stay that way. Recently, I learned about the idea of wintering well, a deliberate way of preparing for and navigating winter with rhythms that refresh rather than exhaust you. When we think about avoiding the winter blues in Arkansas, the goal becomes finding ways to live more gently, intentionally, and in harmony with the season instead of fighting it.
And a gift of Arkansas is that we experience all four seasons (even if they aren’t long enough). And in that, we get to embrace the beauty and benefits each brings!
What Are the Winter Blues?
Most people recognize the feeling, even if they have never given it a name. The winter blues are a common seasonal slump characterized by lower energy, irritability, difficulty motivating yourself or simply feeling “off.” Scientists even have a term for our seasonal changes: human seasonality. It describes the subtle ways our bodies and minds react to shorter days, colder temperatures and fewer opportunities for sunlight.
While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a more clinical condition, many Arkansans experience the everyday winter blues. That’s why the idea of wintering well, deliberately embracing winter as a time for rest, reflection and gentle rhythms, is growing in popularity.
What Does It Mean to Winter Well?
Several authors explore this idea thoroughly, encouraging readers to view winter as a time to retreat, rest and rejuvenate rather than just endure it. Modern society keeps us moving at full speed year-round, but historically, winter was a time when people naturally slowed down. When the ground froze, farmers prepared tools, mended homes, and planned for the coming spring. Families gathered indoors to create, repair, read, and restore.
Books like Wintering Well: A Survival Guide, The Power of Rest and Retreat and Wintering Well Self-Care Practices all echo the same idea: winter is not a pause in life; it is a purposeful season all its own. And when we embrace winter with intention, we begin avoiding the winter blues, not by escaping the cold months, but by moving through them with care.
Wintering Well in Arkansas: 15 Ways to Avoid the Winter Blues
Below are practical, Arkansas-based ways to embrace the winter months with more joy, grounding and purpose. Each one supports your mental, physical or emotional well-being, helping you truly winter well.
Use the Time to Rest
Let yourself get more sleep. Earlier sunsets can trick your mind into winding down sooner, so take advantage of it. Watch movies, read books, or adjust your bedtime to catch up on what your body has been asking for.
Clean Out and Clear Space
Winter is a great time to declutter closets organize holiday decor and refresh your home. Many thrift stores and consignment shops need restocks after the holiday rush, and donating your extras helps everyone start the new year lighter. You will be very grateful come spring.
Journal in Whatever Way Fits You
Whether it’s nature journaling, jotting down thoughts or prayers, drawing, or writing letters to your children, a winter journaling habit helps quiet the mind and provides a safe space for emotions.
Get Out on a Trail When You Can
Arkansas always surprises us with unexpected warm days in the middle of winter. When the sun appears, take advantage. Bare trees offer long, stunning views that aren’t available in summer, and winter hiking is often peaceful and free of crowds. And, don’t forget the magic of a frozen waterfall in Arkansas; it’s a very unique view of nature.
Cook Through a Cookbook
Pick a cookbook, new or forgotten and try cooking everything in it. Do it alone or with friends. Winter is the ideal time for cozy kitchens, simmering pots, and slow, thoughtful meals.
Try a Series of New Restaurants
Break out of your family’s usual dining routine. Winter is the perfect time to explore the Arkansas restaurants you have been curious about. Try ramen, Indian dishes, pasta or home-style comfort cooking, anything that warms you from the inside out.
Find the Best Bowl of Soup
Declare it “Soup Season” and start cooking through your Pinterest board, favorite magazine clippings or treasured recipe cards. Or host a Soup Sunday with neighbors, teammates’ families or church friends. You might not love every recipe, but you will love the memories.
Try New Coffee or Warm Drink Spots
Create a weekend routine of exploring local Arkansas coffee shops. January often introduces new drink menus, and returning to tea or herbal blends can feel grounding. Ask your barista about beans, brewing methods or new flavors; it turns a simple stop into a bit of winter adventure.
Catch Up on Your TBR List
Winter pairs beautifully with blankets, fires and a good book. Turn off the TV, put down your phone and finally tackle that stack. Arkansas authors fill many of our favorite reading lists, so winter is a perfect time to support local writers, too.
Stay in a Cozy Cabin
If Arkansas shines in fall and spring, it truly glows in winter. Book a cabin in Ponca Valley, Hot Springs, Mount Nebo, Petit Jean Mountain, the Buffalo River region or lakes across Sevier County. Bare branches offer sweeping valley views, and a hot tub or fire pit makes cold weather feel magical.
Explore Nature Centers
Many Arkansas nature centers feature indoor exhibits, educational displays, and cozy spaces to learn about local wildlife and habitats. It offers an easy outing on cold days when you still want to get out of the house.
Practice a New Hobby
Winter is perfect for exploring watercolor, knitting, painting, crochet or cross-stitch. Dust off the kits you received for Christmas or try something entirely new. Creative hands foster a calm mind.
Creative hands foster a calm mind.
Find Indoor Places to Get Your Steps In
Gentle movement is one of the best ways to avoid the winter blues. Indoor walking tracks, recreation centers, shopping malls, or community gyms help you stay active even when it is too cold outside.
Find Ways to Gather People
Host game nights, simple dinners, craft afternoons, or watch parties. Community and connection help break up the loneliness that often settles in winter.
Dream and Plan Your Upcoming Travel
Winter is the perfect time to start planning your 2026 travel bucket list. Arrange spring break trips, summer adventures or fall foliage getaways. Planning future trips in Arkansas adds excitement during the slow season.
Winter doesn’t have to be just something we endure. By embracing the natural rhythms of wintering well, we can find rest, renewal, and even joy during these quieter months. Arkansas is full of places, experiences, and simple daily habits that help you beat the winter blues while making the most of the season. Whether you spend the next few weeks exploring new trails, discovering cozy spots around the state, or establishing routines that nourish your soul, winter can be a peaceful pause before spring’s return.
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