This likely takes more time than cleaning your windows, but according to Rosenthal, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your mood. Especially if you choose a bright, happy hue: “Have at least one room that’s your ‘bright room,'” he shares. Adorn the walls with a light coat of paint to enhance the soothing or energizing space. 

As a general rule: Nurturing shades (think light blues, grays, pinks, and soft earth tones) create a calming atmosphere, while brighter colors (like a sunny yellow) can stimulate the mind. “We interact with color constantly—knowingly and unknowingly. It’s such a beautiful, powerful tool that we all have that we kind of forget about and take for granted,” color therapist Walaa AlMuhaiteeb once shared with mbg.

That said, if you want to enter a room and feel energized, you might consider adding small pops of brighter colors to that area. Make designing this room a fun activity you look forward to—that can further help rewrite the narrative of those winter blues.