Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

How to winter-proof your home against the blues

by NADINE PEDERSEN

It’s a dark, drizzly evening. Your after-work jogging buddies will be at your doorstep any minute, but the couch and that bag of organic potato chips are looking mighty appealing.

Surely your workout partners will understand if you pass just this once. After all, for most of northern human history, winter has been a period of downtime. Short days, cold weather, and scarcity of food limited outside activities and brought people into shelters to rest (and presumably, eat potato chips).

But with the invention of the electric lightbulb, all this changed. We stopped living by the seasons and instead became wired, putting in the same long workdays we put in the rest of the year—often without the benefit of the exercise, fresh air, and exposure to sunshine we enjoy in warmer months. For many Vancouverites, the winter blues and the more serious Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a condition marked by oversleeping, lethargy, overeating, social withdrawal, and depression—are as regular as November rain.

Fortunately, it’s easy to beat back the winter doldrums. Getting regular exercise, watching your diet, having a pet, and listening to uplifting music are proven ways to boost your mood. Here are some other ways to transform your home, delight your senses, and brighten up your winter.

1. BRING COLOUR INTO THE CAVE
Colour-response research has shown that certain colours elicit specific responses from people and affect our moods, energy levels, and even appetite. So why not play with colours that make you feel good about yourself and your home? A colourful throw, a cheerful painting, or a new wall colour can change the look and feel of any room.

In the Chinese practice of feng shui, certain colours are believed to increase yin or yang energy. Yin colours (including blue, black, purple, white, pink, and green) tend to be more soothing, while yang colours (red, orange, yellow, tan, brown, mauve, maroon, lavender, and gold) produce enthusiasm and the positive energy required to do something or to feel motivated.

A word of caution: Feng shui is a complicated philosophy, and adherents believe it’s best left to professionals who understand the relationship between objects and the flow of chi, or energy. “It’s just too simplistic to say, ‘Oh, just use red because it’s a bright, vibrant colour,’” says Sheila Wright, a feng shui consultant. “You have to be careful about using too much red, because from a feng shui perspective, putting it in an inappropriate place can activate negative energy.”

2. PURIFY THE AIR YOU BREATHE
According to the American Lung Association, while high levels of pure oxygen can be detrimental to one’s health, low levels of oxygen can improve sleep and mood, increase mental alertness and stamina, and improve body functions. Many common houseplants can transform carbon dioxide into oxygen and trap unwanted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that seep into our homes.

Research by NASA—which studied houseplants as a means of getting rid of some of the 300 chemicals found aboard spacecrafts—also found that spider plants, golden pothos, aloe vera, and philodendrons are excellent at removing formaldehyde from indoor air, while gerberas and chrysanthemums can remove benzene, a carcinogen found in plastics, dyes, and detergents.

3. MAKE IT SMELL LIKE SPRING
“There are countless studies out there that show how essential oils are beneficial not just to the mind but to the body as well,” says Nikki Creamore, wholesale and amenities manager for Escents, a Vancouver-based aromatherapy company.

With a diffuser and a few drops of essential oil, anyone can infuse their home with a scent that is energizing, relaxing, or grounding.

While Creamore says selecting an aroma is a very personal experience, she notes that in winter many people are drawn to uplifting and energizing citrus blends. In fact, Escents’ “Rejuvenating” blend, which combines bergamot and grapefruit, has been a company bestseller for the past 15 years.

4. LIGHTEN UP
For many people the first sunny days of spring are the most powerful antidepressant in the world. Their energy levels increase, and they feel happier and more motivated. Light therapy—which involves sitting near a “light box” for 10 to 90 minutes a day—mimics this effect of increased daylight.

According to the Mood Disorders Clinic at UBC Hospital, light therapy is an effective and safe treatment for SAD. The clinic recommends buying light therapy devices that are approved by the Canadian Standards Association or Underwriters Laboratories, another product safety certification organization.See your doctor before getting one, as devices may be harmful to people with medical conditions such as eye disease.

Feng shui consultant Wright also recommends light therapy devices. “The most important thing from my perspective even being a feng shui practitioner is to use a full-spectrum light where appropriate,” she says. “And doing things to keep yourself balanced, whether that’s exercise, meditation, or eating healthy—because if you’re balanced overall, then the externals don’t affect you that much.”

Writer Nadine Pedersen understands how it feels to be torn between yoga and yogurt-and-herb potato chips.

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