27 Self-Care Essentials to Ease Your Seasonal Affective Disorder

As the sun gets shorter, you may not be getting outside as much, which means you'll be lacking in vitamin D. This lamp doesn't replace the sun, of course, but it's the next best thing. Offering the recommended dose of 10,000 LUX, this one-touch LED light therapy lamp offers a large surface and an adjustable stand so you can find the optimal position for you.

If you don't need the full-on SAD-light option but you still want a little extra seasonal support, this Philips SmartSleep alarm clock will do the trick. When you set your awake time, the clock slowly illuminates to mimic the sunrise, along with optional wake-up sounds. Need help falling asleep? The clock also dims as if it's a setting sun.

If you're looking for a more integrated lighting option, the Full Spectrum Sun Light Bulb is perfect for you. These bulbs use a unique LED chip to mimic sunlight (minus the harmful UV rays), and they exceed all U.S. codes for color rendering and energy efficiency. 

Running away from the blues doesn't help, but shifting your brain in a different direction sometimes can. That's what this mindfulness journal does, using clever prompts and exercises to help you focus on the now and work through whatever is coming up for you, whether you want to follow its guidelines or go rogue and write stream-of-consciousness on its blank note pages.

Technically, yes, this sleep spray was made for babies and toddlers, but I love this spray and will defend my use of it forever. It's formulated with 100% pure essential oils, including lavender and chamomile, making it super gentle on skin — in other words, no breakouts.

If you're still having trouble beating the Sunday scaries this winter, an ergonomic pillow may be just the investment you need for yourself. Bedgear's top-rated Balance Performance Pillow features a medium-firm design that provides elevated support for your back and neck, along with three different height choices, airflow technology, and moisture-wicking fabric.

Let's be honest: Sometimes, candy is good for us and our emotions. But, admittedly, it's not good for our bodies — until Blobs. I love keeping a pack in my bag, car, and home stash at all times; they're bursting with flavor, and they only have two grams of sugar (and 50 calories) per bag. 

Putting on a luxurious face mask, sipping your fave beverage, and watching your go-to comfort show or movie is a great way to have a relaxing night full of you-time. This soothing clay mask extracts toxins and impurities from the skin while delivering minerals to reveal a smooth, fresh complexion. It's skincare that's self-care.

Zen as F*ck builds on the same principle as most mindfulness journals, with prompts and exercises to get you out of your own way. But it does so with tongue firmly planted in cheek, a healthy dose of sass, and just the right amount of encouragement. 

Keep the winter chills (& sad vibes) out and get cozy with these shearling-lined Olukai slippers, which come in four gorgeous colors. I have a pair of these in tan/bone, and yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that my feet have basically lived in them all winter long. These shoes are a bit of a splurge, but they're 100% worth the investment. 

This essential oil diffuser is a multi-tasking wonder. Make the room smell amazing with your choice of mood-lifting scents? Check. Add a little visual interest and mental stimulation with your choice of seven colors of LED lights? Check. Act as a cool air humidifier so your skin stops feeling like sandpaper thanks to the winter chill? Check. It also has a night light.

A good soak in the tub isn't just good for a moment of zen. Adding in some Epsom salts can help your muscles melt while easing the grip of depression, even just a tiny bit. This formula includes matcha green tea, which helps with relaxation and focus, while citrus and chamomile essential oils can help calm a chattering mind. 

Jammies are great, but sometimes you need something that's just a little more... shall we say, presentable to the world while still maintaining your commitment to relaxation and self-care. This three-piece loungewear set should do the trick. 

One of my biggest energy refreshers and moments of relaxation come from long cuddles with my pupper. With this wearable blanket, you and your fur baby will feel like you're being wrapped in a warm hug all day long. It's my preferred choice of attire for WFH days during the colder months... now if only I could bring it (and my dog) to the office.

A popular piece of advice for those experiencing the blues, no matter the season, is to go for a walk to help relax and clear your mind. To make it easier to get your foot out the door, consider donning this soft, full-zip fleece jacket. It features a close but comfortable fit for easy movement, and it's perfect as a finishing touch for a cold-weather look.

Sprucing up your space can be a great way to feel refreshed and improve your mood during these monotonous months. This all-purpose cleaner spray has your back in tackling any grime, grease, or dirt on most non-porous spaces in your home, including counters, tile, stone, wood & glass. Bonus: The pink grapefruit scent smells absolutely lovely (iykyk).

To tell you that having a reliable weighted blanket is nothing short of amazing wouldn't be enough to describe how life-changing this thing is. Handmade from 100% cotton fibers, this blanket is designed to be airy without trading off any of the weighted features you need for a calming, therapeutic deep sleep. 

Another drawback of this colder, dryer time of year is the toll it takes on our hair. Save your strands from their SAD era with this ultra-nourishing Renpure conditioner. It's packed with coconut and vitamin E to deliver long-lasting hydration to dry, lifeless hair and leave it feeling oh-so-silky smooth.

Indulge in a little spa-worthy pampering with this aesthetically-pleasing, TikTok-viral ice roller. Ever since a few years ago, I noticed that my face tends to get really puffy and somehow droopy at the same time in the mornings. This ice roller has been a game-changer by visibly helping to contour, tighten, and reduce puffiness & under-eye bags. 

For the days when it's hard to go through your entire 10-step skincare routine, the award-winning Olay super serum has you covered. It's concentrated with five powerful, skin-loving ingredients (niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptide, vitamin E, AHA) that quickly absorb into your skin. In fact, our shopping editor loves this super serum so much, she wrote a full detailed review of it.

On the topic of multi-functioning beauty that streamlines your daily routine, this dual under-eye concealer & serum is an all-season essential. It comes in particularly handy on days when I don't get nearly enough sleep thanks to late-night doomscrolling — in my experience, it helps visibly smooth skin, cover my ever-present dark circles, and minimize puffiness. 

Focusing on a creative activity can help soothe your blues, especially if it's something that walks the fine line between mentally engaging and overwhelmingly challenging. This Paint by Number Kit is a fun, simple, and easy project that comes with all the joy of artistic painting and none of the stress. It comes all the paint, tools, and canvas you need.

If you prefer a different kind of art canvas, brighten up your day and nails with these charming nail art stickers that come in 29 different themes (all equally adorable). We're especially fans of this Farmer's Market pack beacuse it reminds us of the warmer, sunnier days to come beyond all this winter dreariness.

When you're dealing with the winter SADs, one of the last things you feel like doing is going out and being social... which is exactly why you should do it. And that's why you should get this 2025 planner/calendar: so you can fill it with things to do. That's not to say you shouldn't process through your feelings as needed, of course. But with all the aesthetic layouts and nifty little sections to fill in events and happenings, maybe it'll inspire you to step out a little bit more than you wanted to before.

If your immune system could use a little extra support to beat the winter blues, this Propolis Throat Spray by Beekeeper's Naturals is worth every penny. According to the brand, this daily immune support spray can help soothe sore throats and deliver essential vitamins and minerals.

We get it: Sometimes, when the winter blues get you, the last thing you want to do is cook a full-course meal (& then have to deal with all the tidying up afterward). This retro-inspired microwave is perfect for those cases where you 1.) want a quick, hot meal and 2.) could use a little extra serotonin (just look at how cute this microwave is!). 

This final piece of advice really applies to anyone regardless of the weather: drink plenty of water! If you're someone who often forgets to hydrate on the daily or you're always on the go, this Stanley stainless steel tumbler may be just what you need. It can hold 30 ounces of liquid, and it's made of double-wall vacuum insulation so your drinks stay nice and cold for a long time.