Now that the holidays have ended and all the excitement has subsided, we look ahead to a long stretch of cold winter. This is the time of year when the winter blues start to settle in. But here are a few ideas to help thwart getting stuck in a rut.
- See the beauty of winter:
Look at how gorgeous landscapes are after a winter snow. Children’s laughter while playing in the snow, making snowmen and angels, hot cocoa after playing are all wonderful memories that we should just enjoy. They go by all too quickly. - Take advantage of the season:
This is the perfect opportunity to start that hobby you’ve been talking about. Start an activity that you can enjoy outdoors: skiing, skating or ice fishing. Or work on your creative side. Start scrap booking or organize old photos. Take up knitting or needlepoint. Try something artistic like drawing, painting, pottery or photography. - Redo your wardrobe:
Assess what’s in you closet. Create new looks. Reorganize and make piles of things that you’re going to keep or donate to Goodwill. Giving to those less fortunate always makes you more appreciative of what you have. - Get cozy:
Make a fire and eat marshmallows or make s’mores with the kids. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and curl up with a good book. Make popcorn and watch classic movies. - Get cooking:
This is the perfect weather for soups and stews. Try a new recipe or an old family classic. Have fun with the kids and make cookies or cupcakes. - Feel the love:
This is the perfect time to spend with people you love. Reconnect with old friends or simply stop over to a neighbor. Visit family or make a phone call. Laughter and good company is the perfect remedy for bad weather or a blue mood. - Volunteer:
Giving your time is a wonderful thing to do any time of year. Volunteer a your local church, community center, school or soup kitchen. Doing something selfless or helping those less fortunate always makes you realize how blessed you truly are. - Enjoy the great outdoors:
Take a brisk walk(Unless the weather would cause a risk). The fresh air and exercise is not only great for you physically, but also mentally. Sunlight combats the winter blues. Just dress appropriately and don’t take risks if there is ice or it’s too cold(frostbite and hypothermia are serious medical conditions) - Be a historian:
Visit a museum, library, or local visitor center. Find out the history of your town. I bet there’s tons of things that have happened in your town that may not even know about. You could even start a family tree. - Small projects save big bucks:
Now is the perfect opportunity to finish those small projects around the house. Check for drafts or fix cracked windows. Preventing air from escaping your home could save tons on utility bills. Change filters in your HVAC unit. A unit that runs more efficiently will save you money each month. Install a programmable thermostat (See AMAZON.COM). A programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature in your home so that you will always be comfortable. It will heat your home while your family is there, but not continue to run and waste energy and dollars, when you’re not at home. You can program it to fit your schedule so that it works best for you. This can add up to big bucks by the end of the year.