Winter isn't always fun for everyone, and all of those gray skies and stormy nights can really give you the blues if you let them. Although there's no one specific way to beat the winter blues for good, there are certainly some tips and tricks that can help you take care of that negativity one step at a time.
1.) Make It Fun
Make winter fun again! Remember those snow days as kids, sledding, building snowmen and getting outside with your friends? Try packing the kids up for a day at the hill, or hit the slopes with a group of adults for a day of winter fun. If you can turn this into a positive, it won't weigh on you so heavily.
2.) Get Away From The Cold
So you hate winter and you live in a cold city, then it might be time to get away for a while. Check out the various online travel sites and travel magazines lined up at your local supermarket and choose a destination that speaks to you. If you don't have the money to go too far, try driving south, or get a hotel with a spa, sauna and pool in your local area, and pretend that you're away from home for a weekend.
3.) Warm Up Indoors
If the weather outside is frightful then it might be time to find some warm activities inside that take your mind off of all that white. If you have a fireplace, warming yourself up by the fire or roasting marshmallows can be a great way to beat the cold. Getting your home ready for the holidays can also put a twinkle back in your eye, especially if you've got a lot of lights to string up.
4.) Bond With Winter
If you can't beat it, join it and head outside to take in the crisp awesomeness that is the winter season. Get yourself all bundled up nice and warm and head out for a walk in the crisp air. Bring a group of friends so that you can chat and warm up with a hot chocolate at a local cafe or back at the house once you've done a loop around the block.
5.) Avoid The Snow
Sometimes the worst part about winter is all of the slush and snow, which can be a huge hassle if you're not a fan of the white stuff. One way to beat the blues is by avoiding it all together, at least for a day. Choose one day a week during the winter rush when you don't have any errands to run outside of the house, turn on your favorite movie, pop some corn, and relax in a pair of cozy pajamas.
6.) Brighten Up
Believe it or not, light can really improve your mood, and if you can't find yourself on the sunny beaches of Spain then a tan at a local salon might give you just enough fake juice to keep you going throughout your day. It also adds a nice glow to your skin, just be sure that you don't overdo it.
7.) Focus On The Good
Winter isn't all bad, even if you're not the biggest fan of cold and snow. Try to find things that you do enjoy about this time of the year and focus on them. If you like the big holiday meal with your family each year, plan it well in advance and spend time making careful selections to keep your mind busy.
8.) Go Skiing
Going skiing is a great way to overcome your depressed mood. It allows you to get outside, while enjoying the cold. Lastly, it can keep you in shape throughout the colder months of the year.