As winter settles in and it gets colder and snowier here in PA, I am definitely dreaming of travel – preferably for someplace warm and sunny for a few days. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter and the snow (unlike some people who live up north). I’ve tried living in the south, and it just wasn’t for me – at least for a long-term, year-round kind of deal. However, it does get to a point where the weather takes a toll on my overall health, and getting out of town for even a few days is helpful. We normally try to plan some sort of trip in February or March, but this year since we are moving, it is just not in the cards. So, unfortunately, I’ll have to wait until late April to get on a plane somewhere.
But until then, how can I make myself feel alive? Today I’m going to share some ways to combat the winter blues.
Stay Active
This is somewhat of a no-brainer. But staying active truly has helped me with my mental health significantly over the years. And I know this is not easy for everyone, but the more you do it, the more routine it becomes. You can take a walk outside (if weather permits), go to the gym if you have a membership, attend a workout class, or even exercise in your own home! Some of my favorite ways to exercise at home are playing video games that are active (Just Dance, Ring Fit Adventure, etc) and finding workout videos on YouTube (a great tool that is completely free). Try to be active for at least 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week for the best results.
Get Out of the House
As working from home has become more and more common over the past few years, it is definitely easy to get into the routine of not leaving the house. Sitting on the couch, kitchen table, or even a desk at home while working all day can make us feel lethargic and just not great. This is why it is so important to simply just leave the house and see other people. This could mean just walking around your neighborhood, driving to and strolling through Target, or going and visiting a family member or friend in the evenings. Grant and I have both worked from home for 3+ years now, and we always take lunch breaks to go to the gym, so at the very least each day we’re leaving the house and being active.
Find a New Hobby – or Resurrect an Old One
During the holiday season I feel like I always put my hobbies on the back burner in order to make time for the season’s festivities. Winter is a great time to explore a new hobby or pick up an old one you may have abandoned at some point. This month I started needlepointing again after not doing so since last spring. It is a great mindless activity for me! You could consider scrapbooking, reading, playing video games, knitting, or really anything that strikes your fancy. It is so motivating and invigorating to do something that excites you as a hobby.
Plan Something
Whether it is a trip or a gathering, planning something to look forward to always puts me in a good mood! While we aren’t traveling until April, I’ve already started brainstorming activities to research for our trip and even started outfit planning. Right now would be a great time to plan a Valentine’s Day get-together for you and your gal pals! That way you and your friends have something to look forward to. My nephew’s 4th birthday is coming up in March, and my sister and I have started planning the theme for his party.
Purge Old Things
Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but who says you can’t do it during the winter? I honestly find that after Christmas is a great time to do a clean-out. You just got new items as gifts, and now it is time to find the things you don’t use anymore. Just remember, it is not about the number of things you get rid of, it’s about creating a healthier and more productive space for yourself.
Refresh a Space
Not only can this mean cleaning out things that no longer serve you, but also adding new pieces into the mix. You can rearrange a room, purchase some new decor items, or even do a small DIY project like painting a room or piece of furniture! If you have a small budget, you can thrift some decor pieces or even just pull things from other areas of your home to switch things up. With our move next month I’m definitely excited to do this myself!
Try a New Recipe
I personally don’t love cooking, but I know some people really enjoy it! Recently we started getting a meal subscription box, EveryPlate. It is definitely the cheapest of any subscription box I am aware of on the market, which is pretty nice. We wanted to try it to see if it would help us utilize groceries more effectively and therefore save money, and it actually has! It can be incredibly hard to cook for two people, so this has helped us not waste as much. Plus it gives us meals that are already planned and easy to put together. Of course, you can always find new recipes online, but if you’ve been curious about a meal subscription service, this may be a great time to try it out!
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As you can see, the common theme with a lot of this is staying busy! It can be hard to stay motivated during the winter months, especially after the high of the holiday season. I hope some of these tips were helpful and inspired you to combat your winter blues.
Cheers!
xoxo
Jayme
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