Beating the winter blues | 7 ways to stay sane in the colder months

Beating the winter blues | How to stay sane in the colder months

You know what? 
Winter sucks. Especially if you're in the Northern Midwest.
This cold melancholy season can feel like it goes on and on forever in a neverending loop of boredom and depression.
So, how does one keep themselves sane until Spring returns?
Well, there are many ways. You just have to think outside the box sometimes.

Staying sane in the wintertime is a problem for many people.
Winter is just a time of year when your favorite pastimes are put on hold for months on end. But, does it have to feel that way?

Bears hibernate, right? They take the "easy way out" so it seems. Do you ever wish you could just hibernate?
Maybe you can! Not for the whole winter, of course, but you can snuggle yourself into your own bear cave and bring some extra comfort to your winter.

Hygge is very popular around the world these days and there's a reason for it.
It's not only a way to find ultimate comfort, but to use that peaceful time to reflect on things that truly make you happy. It's a way to de-stress and wind down from an otherwise hectic day.
If you find yourself fuming with anxiety, just trying to fight your way through until the snow thaws, perhaps you could try building yourself a bears den.

Try one (or all) of the other tips and see which works for you best!

1. The Bears Den

There really isn't much to this concept.
All you need are a handful of blankets and pillows, a quiet space in your house, some candles, a cup of chamomile tea, and a good book or magazine.
Snuggle yourself in at the end of the day and just enjoy the silence for a while. Even a good 30-minute reset will help lift your spirits.

2. Channel Your Inner Artist

Not the hygge type? Maybe you should create something instead!
Do you remember how much you loved that art class as a kid? Maybe it's time to bring back that passion. No paints? Find some markers, crayons, or even black pens for an abstract monotone sketch of something you love.




3. Write Out Your Inner Voice


This is one of my personal favorites. 
Whether it's on paper, typewriter, laptop, dictation, or written in crayon - writing is an incredible way to let your feelings out and pass the time.
Even if you don't know how to write a story - write what you're feeling. Write what you're thinking or just describe what you see when you look out the window. Fill a notebook. Write in pen. Draw some pictures in the margins. Type in a scripted handwriting. Just be creative!
Writing is not hard to do, it's just hard to get your mind to cooperate if it's not something you do regularly. Starting a daily journal of random thoughts will help you get into this groove.

4. Read


Don't want to write? Pick up a book instead.
Dive into a fantasy or new romance novel, sci-fi or mystery - whatever type of story your little heart desires - pick it up and jump in. Crawl back to your bears' den, snuggle in, and lose yourself in a wonderland of prose.  Reading is not only a way to pass the time quickly, but it will feel like you're in a whole new world.
Dive into something new!



5. Make Some Extra Cash


It's -12 degrees out. Why not use this chilly time to go through that junk in the back of your closet, dust it off, and throw it on the marketplace? Cruise through craigslist.com and see if you can find anyone looking for what you have to offer. 
No junk to spare? Take some surveys instead. 
You won't make millions, or even thousands, doing this. However, that little bit of extra cash you made while sitting on your butt makes it worthwhile. There are tons of survey sites out there waiting for new people. vindale.com is one of them.

6. Learn To Cook


Not only one of my favorites, but one of the best ways to pass the time and make your body happy.
Food = comfort. Everyone knows this. But, we spend our spare time snacking on unhealthy crap that makes our bodies miserable and flabby. 
Use your snowed-in time to learn how to cook from scratch, to implement healthy cooking methods, to practice your food photography, and feed your family with the amazing meal you created out of pure love and olive oil.
The internet is FULL of recipes you can make with whatever is in your fridge, pantry, and spice rack. Make your own recipes. Fill a book with creations that came out of your own incredible imagination. 

7. Play With Your Kids


Shut that TV off, power down your phone, close your laptops and break out the blocks! 
Find a board game you all know and love!
Play some hide and seek, go outside and build a snow chicken. Make that blanket fort in the basement, get a game of charades going, put on a play! The possibilities are endless with children 
And if you can't think of anything, I can guarantee they will!

~*~

You don't need someone to entertain you. You have the ability to entertain yourself, literally, at your fingertips. 

All you need is to peel your sad butt off the couch and find something to do!



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