Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs

At this time of the year, here in the chilly cold northern portion of the US, I often find myself battling the winter blues, as I am sure you already know from my last post. Boredom, impatience for spring, listlessness, feeling tired and blah…all of these are often cured by spring and sunshine. But when all you have is cold, early nightfall and no sign of spring in sight, what do you do?

Winter blahs, winter blues, whatever you call them, here are a few ideas to help with them.

1) Put on a favorite CD, one that sounds particularly summery to you. For me, that means swing dance music or the group Until June. Crank it up and dance! The music will remind you of summer fun and the dancing will help release endorphones that will give you a boost of energy and cheer you up.

2) Read a really good book. Do you have a comfort read? A favorite book that you read during summer vacation or the summer reading club ages ago? Re-read it. As a character from Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart says, “Memories cling to books.” Read a book that has happy memories stuck to it.

3) Start a new hobby or pick up one that you haven’t touched in ages. Learn how to knit or crochet. Pick up scrapbooking and take care of all the photos lying around the house or even just organize them in pretty albums.

4) Sing. Sing along to a CD, join a community choir…SING. It cheers a body’s soul.

5) Bake or cook something that says summer to you. Something like Becca’s strawberry shortcake. Or something fresh, like a salad. Or just for fun, make iced coffee or a fresh fruit smoothie.

6) Watch a movie! Something FUN. Think 'summer flick.' Make popcorn, too!

7) Call a friend on the phone or get together with friends. Laugh. Have fun. Spend time cheering each other up.

8) Plant some bulbs inside or buy some fresh flowers. I have a bamboo plant on my desk at work and it is incredibly refreshing to see something bright and green at this time of the year. Bring a little spring inside with plants.

Any other suggestions? Any ideas to brighten up these last weeks of winter?