50 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

My mind is reeling that February is here already and January is just a distant memory. Yet my dry, chapped hands and lips long for spring and the sign of new life.

Personally, I am ready for winter to be over and yet we’re still over a month away from the first day of spring.

snowy winter forest

While I am pretty sure I don’t have Seasonal Affective Disorder {SAD}, this time every year I yearn for warm temperatures and fun in the sun.

Obviously I have no control over when the warmer temperatures will appear, but I knew I had to do something to beat my winter blues, and needed a master list of “fun” to make it until it’s time for shorts and flip-flops.

Here’s a few of my favorite ways to embrace the season we’re in and beat those winter blues.

1. Plan a vacation

2. Eat citrus- there’s something about citrus that makes me think of summer!

3. Use essential oils to boost your mood- Joy by Young Living is a wonderful mood enhancer {learn more here}

4. Take a brisk walk outside

5. Exercise

6. Start a hobby

7. Spring clean

8. Volunteer

9. Find a book series you love

10. Plan your spring garden

11. Make a change {You CAN change your life.  Here’s how!}

12. Start a monthly girl’s night out club

13. Have a party

14. Schedule a home party with a direct sales company

15. Research spring festivals in your area and plan ahead to attend

16. Make a list of what needs to be done for the year, and start doing it!

17. Go ice skating

18. Go to the circus

19. Date your spouse

20. Try a new recipe

21. Take a class

22. Pamper yourself

23.  Take some creative winter pictures

24.  Make a list of the classics you’d like to read and do it

25. Find a comedy series you love and watch it on Netflix

26. Get a new hairstyle

27. Grab your spouse and get intimate

28. Go thrift shopping and upcycle a piece of furniture

29. Try hot yoga

30. Learn how to sew

31. Help a friend in need

32. Complete a Pinterest project

33.  Move the furniture around in your house

34. Connect with God, even if you haven’t in a long time

35. Send cards to those you love “just because”

36. Snuggle with your love by the fire

37. Set up a coffee/hot chocolate bar in your house with fun toppings

38. Plan a big event that you will look forward to later in the year

39. Go on a women’s or marriage retreat

40. Research your family tree

41. Check out your local rec. center for community happenings

42. Paint something {anything, really! Painting just inspires me even though I am less than great at it.}

43. Do a favorite activity you loved when you were a kid

44. Take a bubble bath

45. Go bowling

46. Make your own cleaner or bath products

47. Adopt a pet

48. Buy some fresh cut flowers

49. Fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing with the Ocean Sounds app

50. Download some new music and dance around the house

 

Have fun and enjoy the rest of the cooler weather!

 How do you enjoy the winter and do you get the winter blues?

27 Comments

  1. This is a good list! Although I see no adopting of a pet in my future, but maybe bowling.

    1. Yes, I am NOT adopting another pet, but pets can lift your spirits! 🙂

  2. What a great list Sarah Ann! A family camp-out in the living room would be fun to add to the list. Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and favorite snacks while watching a family friendly movie.

    I’m ready for warmer weather too! 🙂

    1. Oh so fun! That’s a fabulous idea! I’ll add to my list. We WILL do this! 🙂

  3. Great list! I am so ready for spring! Scrapbooking has been my latest “blues” therapy. We have also started family movie nights and game nights. There is also our favorite nightly routine of the family dance parties.

    Bring on the sunshine!

    1. Scrapbooking is such a fun way to pass time and remenisce about family memories. Love it!

  4. I really loved this list although I have to say I have already done most of these and it’s only February! Lol. Hoping we can all not only survive but thrive the rest of the winter until spring! Thanks for posting this today,I shared on my fb page!

    1. Thanks so much for sharing! This is the tip of the ice burg as far as ideas go, so have fun exploring ways to have fun now and embrace the season we’re in! I really appreciate you sharing!

  5. Love these ideas. I do go through a slump in the winter (although the weather here has been like spring lately) so I am always looking for some good tips! Love the family tree idea and the bubble bath!

  6. Having a positive attitude is the key. I lived in Ohio for a long time and the winter months were long. I know on the long days when my attitude was positive it was better. I love the list. Thank you for sharing. Have a beautiful weekend! Tammy

    1. Oh I grew up in Wisconsin and completely understand! You have to bundle up, think positive, and find some fun in the winter weather! Hang in there!

  7. These are great suggestions! The winter blues are definitely setting in for me. But one thing that I enjoy is taking pictures and finding beauty in snow days.

    1. Winter pictures are underestimated but completely beautiful! I love them!

  8. I love this list! I’m with you. I don’t think I have SAD but I get to the point where I am so done with snow and the cold weather. I personally love cozying up on the couch and watching a good comedy!

  9. Just had our coldest day yesterday. So done with winter. I’ll try out a few of these tips – thanks for sharing on Mommy Monday Blog Hop.

  10. My husband and I love planning our next family vacation. We have gone to Disney World the past 5 years and it always helps us through the winter to plan for the next year’s trip. We look at old photos, watch the free planning video and talk to the kids about it. Today I also realized (after complaining that my seat heaters weren’t working in my car) that even being cold in the winter isn’t so bad because I have a car, a house to live in and food to eat!

    1. Absolutely! We get so spoiled on living a very comfortable life, we forget there are those with real needs. Thanks for reminding me to be grateful for what I have in every season, not just the ones I like!

  11. Great list!! It’s a very cold morning, I wish I could go plan a trip!

    You made it so we don’t have any more excuses on what to do while we wait for spring. 😉

    1. Oh I usually can’t stand winter, so this year I am trying to be positive and enjoy life!

  12. Great winter-busting tips for both individuals and the family. With the latest round of frosty air hitting much of the country, your timing is perfect.

    Jw

    1. I am so glad it can help and I know that I ready to turn my winter frown upside down!

  13. Love these fun tips, Sarah Ann.

    We are currently planning a vacation, eating oranges, & taking hikes in the snow. I just started a new book and that always makes me happy.

    I love the idea of helping someone in need & sending encouraging cards.

    1. Glad to see you are staying busy and warm! We’re having another round of wintery mix this weekend. So I think I need to read this again myself!

  14. I live in Central Florida, so it’s hard to imagine what it must be like in the bitter cold. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again this week.

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