Some people love winter: the more snow, ice, and cold, the happier they are. I am not one of those people. When the weather starts to get cold, I start counting down days until the days get longer and warmer. The sooner it gets warm, the better.
Right now, it is the middle of February and I cannot wait until April. I know I have one more month to go through of potentially nasty, winter weather, so I have to mentally gear myself up for another 45 days of cold and dreary skies. So, what can you do during the winter to help with those winter blahhhs? Here are a few things that help me get through winter and, maybe, they will also help you.
Reading or Hobbies
I love to read so, on those cloudy, murky days, this is a no-brainer. I grab a favorite to re-read or I browse through my ebook reader and scroll for something new. Immersing myself in a book is a super-easy way to get through an afternoon or two.
Exercising
Yoga and pilates are my go-to exercises to help keep the winter blues away. I lock myself away in a room so I don’t have any disruptions, turn on some soft music, and maybe light a candle or two. I don’t do long routines, usually 30 minutes or less, but it is enough to focus on my stretching in order to relax after a day of battling the cold.
Spending Time with the Pets (or Kids)
Spending time with your kids (furry or otherwise) is a great way to forget about the cold outside. My huskies love the cold, snowy weather, but they are usually more than happy to play inside. Playing fetch in the house (yes, we play fetch in the house when it’s just too cold for me to go outside), wrestling, hide-and-seek, and other pet-friendly games keep them, and me, mentally active. Huskies are exceptionally smart dogs so I have to constantly be thinking of new ways to keep them from being bored if they can’t go outside.
A Little Bit of Pampering
When it’s cold, the only thing I want to do is stay inside where it’s warm, so getting some much-needed pampering can be difficult. Cold winds take a toll on my skin so I will take an hour and soothe and moisturize my skin. Face, elbows, fingers, and toes all dry out continuously during the winter months so taking care of my skin is not only a relaxation technique, but it is also critical for its overall health. Home facials and luxurious oils help keep my skin hydrated and the scents help my mind forget about the cold, at least for a while.
A Good Night’s Sleep
This one is so critical for me because I simply do not feel well if I don’t get enough sleep. Ironically, it’s during the winter months that I have the hardest time getting enough quality sleep in the evenings. To make up for that constant tossing and turning at night, I will sometimes take an afternoon nap. I don’t nap often because then I definitely won’t sleep at night but, during the days that my mind is foggy and I just cannot keep my eyes open, an afternoon nap is just the ticket.
Getting Out in the Sun
Nice, bright, sunny days are not the norm during the winter but, when one shows up, I try to take advantage of it. The sun will instantly lift my mood, even if all I do is sit in a window, in the sun. If it is warm enough, and it isn’t muddy outside, I’ll go out in the yard and play ball with the pups. Even just spending 15 minutes or so outside, in the sun, makes a big difference in lifting my spirits.
I will always count down the days until spring rolls around with its warm weather but, in the meantime, these activities help me get through the dreary days of winter.
Now, I have to figure out how to get through this snowstorm we are supposed to have this week…
Recent Comments