A Haircut Can Actually Ease Your Winter Blues–Here Are 7 Celeb-Inspired Looks to Try

When “golden hour” suddenly means 3 p.m. and the workday ends in pitch darkness, you might discover you have to try a little harder to feel good. It’s convenient, then, that so many uplifting traditions are jammed into the early days of winter—like holiday festivities, glittering decor, and in my case, an annual hair transformation.

There was a time—although now, it’s just a distant memory—when I would request a simple trim at every appointment. I used to put haircuts in the same camp as annual physicals and dental cleanings: mere maintenance. That mindset permanently shifted one fall, when impulsively hacking my near waist-length hair to my chin had an unexpected outcome: The dark, cold months were much more bearable. During a time of year when I was typically drained, dry, and down on myself, I felt fresh, bold, and confident. Beyond that, learning to live with and style an unfamiliar cut forced me to invest in myself a little more each day.

Since that first cathartic bob, I’ve rung in every winter with some kind of major hair change, from shaggy layers to icy bleach jobs to multiple rounds of fringe. I wondered if there was a reason—besides my talented stylist—why making an external change seemed to improve my attitude, and it turns out there is. Planning and executing an aesthetic change has a gamification aspect, when the satisfying elements of a game apply in the context of normal life. This is commonly linked to dopamine release, Mary Poffenroth, PhD, biopsychologist and author of A Brave New You, tells SELF.

Here’s how it works: There are potential “obstacles” involved—you might find that your new cut doesn’t suit your face shape or that your judgy coworker isn’t a fan—but those risk factors only amplify the potential payoff. If you’re pleased with your new style, Dr. Poffenroth says, the brain’s reward system responds as if you beat the final level of a video game or had a big win at work. “That positive outcome reinforces the fact that you can plan and execute in a positive way,” she says, which sparks up satisfaction, motivation, and a sense of deep self-assuredness.

Dr. Poffenroth also says that a self-esteem boost from a new do—and all the compliments and attention it might bring—isn’t just vanity talking, it’s human nature. From Zoom calls to profile pictures, we live in a culture where “we are looking at our heads all the time, so [hair] really can be a strong association with our identity,” she says. That’s part of the reason why a great haircut really can make you feel “transformed” or “empowered.” Plus, she notes, humans are a social species, hardwired to seek out acceptance and validation from others as a matter of survival. So even if you understand that your fundamental worth has nothing to do with your hairstyle (true!), you’re still bound to enjoy a genuine lift when your friends hype it up.

An adventurous haircut (with convenient wellness perks) might sound great in theory, but it can also feel impractical or scary to snip outside of your comfort zone. But if there’s a cut with a “risk” factor that piques your interest, the beginning of the winter is the perfect time to experiment: Your bangs will grow out before you’re sweating in the July heat, and, if necessary, you can hide under cozy hats and layers.