Six Top Things to Do to Get through the Winter

Blog and Photo by Joann Schissel 2021

1. Do something creative
We all have creative abilities. You don’t have to be Michelangelo or Hemingway, but creative expression can put you in a different state of mind and helps reduce boredom and depression. Try writing a story from your childhood or start a journal. Get some paper and colored pencils or paint and set up a still life on a table. If you feel like you can’t draw a straight line, there are kits that teach how to draw. Adult coloring books offer easy entertainment. Explore endeavors you have thought about but never started like crafting, sewing, photography, sculpting with clay or wood. Even cooking and flower arranging can be creative.

2. Contact a friend or relative
During these pandemic times, many people feel alone, isolated even overwhelmed. Reach out to call an old friend or a relative you haven’t seen in awhile. Ask them how they are doing. Sometimes reconnecting to someone outside your household bubble can be refreshing and maybe make that person’s day to hear from you.

3. Tidy up
Now is the time to deep clean the areas that get ignored during pleasant weather. Clean and organize that cluttered closet or redecorate your space with fresh paint. Switch out or rearrange wall decorations with new displays. Repair or replace that broken household item that has been irritating you for months. Or help a friend with theirs.

4. Exercise
You don’t have to have expensive home gym equipment to stay in shape. Grab your warm coat and don your boots to take a walk around the block. If you feel the weather is too cold or icy, clear a spot inside, play music and dance. Make up your own routine using hand weights or yoga moves. Have a workout plan and be consistent but also mix up the activity from day to day so you don’t get bored.

5. Plan a spring road trip
Not everyone has the time or resources to take a vacation, but consider taking a day trip or overnight somewhere nearby. There’s a lot of tourism information online or at your local library that can give you ideas of hidden gems in your nearby communities where you can still physical distance. The planning and anticipation also provides something to look forward to. It’s wise to call ahead and confirm guidelines and hours of places you intend to visit.

6. Learn something new
This is a continuation of point #1. Learning something new helps your brain. Read a book about a historical event, biography, or foreign place. Watch a how-to video or seek out a documentary film. Question someone about what their profession or industry is like. Find out how to evaluate and enjoy wine.