8 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
If winter is dragging you down, it might be time to bring some light back into your life. There are simple ways to beat the winter blues — whether it’s refreshing your home, escaping without going far, or and giving yourself something sunny to look forward to.
Litter Genie Light Clumping Litter
When it comes to winter blues, people often think about mood — but for many, it’s the day-to-day stuff inside the house that gets to them. Less fresh air, more time indoors, more smells, more mess… and if you have pets, it’s amplified. For cat parents especially, winter means litter boxes are working overtime — and when something smells, or feels dusty or heavy to deal with, it adds to that low-grade stress you’re already carrying. Cat owners will love Litter Genie Light Clumping Litter because it’s not only made from naturally-sourced Canadian bentonite clay for reliable odour control, but it’s 20% lighter than regular litter, meaning you get an easier lift and pour without sacrificing volume. It’s also 99% dust-free, which is huge in winter when homes are sealed up, and the air already feels heavy. Because it absorbs ammonia in minutes, it helps keep your home smelling fresh — which again, when you’re indoors all the time, makes a noticeable difference. When paired with Litter Genie pails, litter box and refills, cat parents can now have a complete system to simplify their litter routine and keep their home fresh. You can find Litter Genie Light Clumping Litter at Canadian Tire, PetSmart, and Amazon.ca.
Reversa Radiance C Concentrate
Winter can be hard on your skin, leaving it dull and dry, so you need a good Vitamin C serum to brighten up your skin and your day! The Radiance C Concentrate from Reversa is the perfect choice because it’s designed to give you that ideal glow. It’s a waterless, stable, 20% pure vitamin C treatment that delivers high-potency antioxidant protection against UV rays and pollution while visibly brightening dullness, fading the look of dark spots, and supporting firmer, smoother skin. It is enriched with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for a light creamy feel and can be applied morning or night to damp skin to bring a little sunshine to your winter skincare routine! Find Reversa Radiance C Concentrate at reversa.ca.
The Chelsea Hotel
Winter can seem like it drags on – between the cold, snow, and ice, it’s like Groundhog Day meets Frozen! A staycation is the best way to break up the mundane, enjoy all the city has to offer, and have fun being a tourist in your own town! When it comes to a fun family staycation, The Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto is the place to go. Perfect for Family Day weekend, families will be treated to the first look at The Hive — the hotel’s newly renovated family pool, waterslide, kids’ centre and teen lounge. For more indoor fun, the hotel will also be serving up crafts, games and movie nights. But, if you want to venture outdoors, families can skate right across the street at the Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail and check out the Ripley’s Aquarium, Little Canada and AGO at a discounted rate for staying at the hotel. Now is the time to take advantage, because you can save up to 20% off the best available rate of the day if you book in advance at chelseatoronto.com.
La Vie en Rose
One of the best ways to beat the winter blues is to beat winter! If you’re lucky enough to be hopping a plane and going somewhere sunny and tropical, you’re going to want to feel comfortable and beautiful in your swimwear. A great place for swimwear is La Vie en Rose because they have so many different styles of swimsuits and coverups that suit everybody and every body. Their new collection of beachwear features printed styles and vibrant colours and textures. Their gingham swimsuit and palm stripe swimwear set are on-trend this winter, and their pink skirt palm swimsuit is so bright and vibrant — perfect for vacation vibes! You can shop these at your local La Vie en Rose and lavieenrose.com!
Visit Orlando
Considering some great destinations to escape winter? If you want sunny skies and to bring out the light in your kids’ eyes, Orlando is the go-to place — your kids will talk about it for ages to come. There’s Epic Universe, their brand-new theme park, or you can try ziplining over alligators or kayaking with manatees! Of course, if you have smaller kids, meeting your child’s favourite Disney character is always a thrill — but let’s be real, even if they’re older they probably still want to meet Mickey Mouse. Orlando is the ultimate family destination because it’s somewhere that your family will never grow out of — there is always something fun and exciting to do. It’s also convenient, with direct flights from major Canadian cities — combine that with its family-friendly resorts and it truly make Orlando an easy, accessible and unforgettable getaway. For more information, go to visitorlando.com.
TROBBU Tulum
For a luxe winter escape, TROBBU Tulum is an all-inclusive luxury villa that’s perfect for couples or groups of friends. TROBBU Boutique Collection’s first hotel, this getaway includes butler service to assist guests with booking activities and experiences both on and off property such as pizza and mixology classes, art classes, wellness classes, visiting cenotes, and more. The property is also home to a fitness center, yoga room, pizza restaurant, boutique, and coffee shop. Each villa has three bedrooms and three and a half baths, an infinity pool, decked terrace with sun loungers, bar & grill area, a living room area, and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s great for groups because 10 three-story villas can accommodate eight people, which would work out to be $145 per person per night — very reasonable, considering all the amenities you’re getting! Check them out at trobburesorts.com.
Vivier
If winter has your skin feeling like it’s lacking a youthful glow, Vivier has anti-aging moisturizers that will help — their daily and nightly moisturizers have a bunch of nourishing ingredients for your skin. And a big bonus: they travel well, so if you’re jetting off to a warmer place you can take them with you! The Daily Age-Defying Moisturizer and Nightly Age-Defying Moisturizer are rich in antioxidants, they boost hydration, and they will smooth, brighten, and firm your skin with ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. The nightly moisturizer works to repair and rejuvenate skin while you sleep, while the daily moisturizer is lightweight, non-greasy, and can be layered under makeup and their Sheer SPF! Pair the moisturizers with their GrenzCine serum for firming, and their HEXAM cleanser and Refreshing Toner to give your skin the perfect winter pick-me-up. It will keep you feeling younger and refreshed all season! They also have a brand-new, highly requested Intensive Hydrating Moisturizer, which hydrates very dry and dehydrated skin, revitalizes your complexion, and protects the skin barrier against harsh climates. A must-have for your winter skincare routine! Explore their age-defying skincare at vivierskin.ca.
Marshall Willen II Portable Speaker
What better way to cut through the dullness of winter than with some music, or maybe your favourite podcast while you’re stuck inside? When you don’t want to venture outdoors in the cold, you need to bring up the energy in your home! The Marshall Willen II portable Bluetooth speaker is sleek, lightweight, and comes in a stylish black and brass or cream, making it an attractive, functional addition to your home décor. But don’t let the small design deceive you – this speaker’s sound packs a punch, especially in its deep base you’ll have no trouble hearing. When you do feel like leaving the house, the Willen II has over 17 hours of portable playtime, a fastening strap for on-the-go, a built-in microphone to take calls hands-free, and is dust and waterproof, meaning it can withstand the winter elements. If you are going away for a little weekend trip or a vacation to a sunny destination, the speaker is compact enough you can pack it to take with you! Whether you’re on the move or stuck inside and need to blast a song that reminds you of summer, this speaker will satisfy. You can find it on marshall.com.
