Doesn’t it seem like this is one of the worst winters we’ve seen in years? The cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls sure make me glad I work at home, and don’t have to venture out in it every day.
On the other hand, not having to go out, and being a homebody to begin with, means I’m often cooped up inside for days, and sometimes don’t even realize it, until I start to get sluggish and irritable. That’s when I know it’s time to shake up my mood by doing something different. These are four of the things that work for me:
Spend time with someone special. If it’s not possible to get together, a nice long phone call might do the trick. Even an online chat is better than nothing!
Cook. I especially like to make soup from scratch. Sometimes I use a recipe, and sometimes I just create. I throw all my vegetable scraps in a large freezer bag, and when it gets full, I use that to make my stock. (FYI one large freezer bag full of veggie scraps yields 4 or 5 cups of stock.)
Watch one of my favourite movies. I watch movies all the time, but there’s something very comforting about watching an old favourite and knowing I’m going to enjoy it. Musicals and other movies with lots of music in them seem to work best for this. My collection includes Grease, Shall We Dance (the old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classic, not the more recent one with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, though that was pretty good too), The Wedding Singer, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Mamma Mia would also do the trick quite nicely.
Go for a walk. It doesn’t sound appealing when it’s so cold out there, but by the time I bundle up in my down-filled jacket and other warm clothes, I can handle it, and it feels so good when I get back inside where it’s warm! (If you don’t have a good warm coat, get one! Despite global warming, winter is going to come back every year whether we like it or not!)
If none of these ideas appeal to you, maybe you need a copy of 101+ Ways to Raise Your Joy Quotient. It’s like an ABC book for grown-ups!
How do YOU beat the winter blues?
I enjoy hibernating in the winter. What could be better than being curled up in a comfy chair, wrapped up in a cozy comforter, with a great book and a bag of chocolate? Heaven!
Of course, watching Fred and Ginger comes in a close second. I love Swing Time
Melodee, that also sounds inviting. I love reading and don’t make enough time to enjoy it.
I’m not sure if I’ve seen Swing Time but I’m sure I’d like it. My favourite Fred and Ginger movie is The Gay Divorcee but I don’t own a copy. I only have Shall We Dance because I picked up a copy at a local video store that was closing and selling off all their stock!
With that gorgeous photo accompanying this entry (maybe taken with your new camera?), I thought one of your suggestions was going to be to Get Outside And Take Some Pictures. Winter is often much more gorgeous from the out-side of the window than from the in-side.
You’re right, but I’m afraid I haven’t been that adventurous! The only winter picture I’ve taken with my new camera was taken from the inside looking out.
We’ll have to do something about that when you come up here. With luck we’ll have one of those bright crisp days when you don’t have to be afraid to take your camera out of your pocket, but not so cold your fingers freeze as you compose your shot.
According to the Weather Network, we’re going to get above average temperatures and maybe even some rain, but what do they know? Sometimes they say we’re currently getting flurries and there’s so much snow I can’t see out my windows!
Now, don’t talk like that, Janet! That’s no way to beat the winter blahs!
What I’m hoping for – no, visualizing (remembering the Law of Attraction) – is some fresh snow during the week, and cold enough to maintain it, but not bitterly cold, and no snow on the weekend itself, so I don’t have to worry about the drive.
Is that better?
MUCH better!
Only 8 more sleeps…
I’m glad you’re looking forward to our visit as much as I am, Janet. xo