Nordic TV is getting me out of my winter fashion rut

Living in the Canberra-area (albeit on the NSW border side) I'm at that point where I'm officially over winter. Grey skies, rain, scraping ice off the car windscreen, the endless piles of washing, cold feet, cold hands, being cold! Saturday started at -6 degrees, and was -3 degrees at 9am when I had to venture outside for kids sporting activities. Positively it was sunny, and I was able to soak up the sun and vitamin D, to ward of the SADs (seasonal affective disorder, yes it's a thing!).

I have also fallen into a winter fashion rut, a 'uniform' of skinny jeans teamed with a puffer jacket - the staple of the Canberra winter fashion wardrobe and essential for watching sport on the sidelines in minus temps and coffee catch ups at the outside table.

I have enjoyed cold winter evenings and particularly watching two Nordic dramas, Occupied and Borgen (both on Netflix). Occupied is set in Sweden with a plot line that's a little too close to home considering events in the Ukraine, and Borgen about the inner workings of coalition government in Denmark, led by a charismatic female PM. While the plot twists and turns in both dramas are great, I also love the simple lines of Nordic architecture and design, as well as the fashion. Female characters in bright woollen vests, jumpers, mittens and beanies, tights and dresses, and knee high boots. I thought to myself, hang on, somewhere in my wardrobe I have these things.

So I have been making an effort to wear my tailored, grey wool ankle length coat; tights, boots and some favourite dresses; experiment with layering woollen jumpers and tailored shirts; and dug out a favourite bright blue wool scarf purchased from the NSW Art Gallery. It's been fun and has picked up my spirits at little - that's not to say that the puffer jacket still isn't a staple for walking the dogs and kids sports!

On a more serious note, if you're not feeling yourself, be on the watch for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It's a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, usually setting in around autumn and winter and disappearing in the spring and summer. It's thought to be caused by changes to the body's circadian rhythms (in simple terms, your body clock). The symptoms are low energy, sleeping too much, feeling tired all the time, over eating and a loss of interest in activities. 

If you think you have a case of the winter SADs try to get outside on sunny days and exercise regularly. If you don't feel any better talk to your GP about options.

Take care. L x