It happens every year at about this point. Rain condenses into snow, the temperature drops thirty degrees overnight, and the sky becomes permanently gray. And as the weather plummets, so does your mood. Suddenly it’s nearly impossible to spring from bed each morning, to tackle challenging homework assignments, or to keep up with your daily exercise regimen. But never fear, because there are plenty of things you can do to combat the winter blues.
Online shopping.
This one isn’t exactly wallet friendly, but hear me out. Buying yourself a treat every once in a while can snap you right out of that funk you’ve been in—it’s like an “I appreciate you” gift to you, from you. An added perk—you never have to leave your bed (or your pajamas).
Reading.
On dreary nights, something that never fails to cheer me up is putting on cozy socks, heating up a cup of tea, and sitting on the couch with a worn paperback. (Don’t try to tell me that you “do enough reading for school already”—when’s the last time you actually cracked open a textbook?) If you’re not sure what to read, do some research online and make a book list. Then, challenge yourself to read every item on the list. It’ll be surprisingly fun, you’ll learn some new things, and it’ll keep you occupied for an extended period of time.
Baking cookies!
Every year when I go home for Christmas break, I spend a day baking at least three different types of Christmas cookies (one chocolate-y, one festive, and one experimental). This is partially because I like to take advantage of having access to an oven while I can, but also because it never fails to get me into the holiday spirit. If you’re in the same boat as I am and don’t have an oven, find a friend who does and have a baking party! Or, buy a tube of cookie dough, set up in your dorm’s kitchen, blast some music and get mixin’.
Knitting.
Verdict: not just for your grandma. Knitted scarves never go out of style, and you can make one for way cheaper than you’d find in stores. It’s relaxing, and gives you something to do during TV commercials.
Netflix binge.
Yeah, this one was inevitable. Every time my boyfriend and I decide to watch Netflix, we challenge ourselves to make as comfy a set-up as possible. I’m talking thick sweatpants, over-sized sweaters, every blanket and pillow (and snack food) we can find. With Parks and Rec playing on my laptop and twinkle lights glowing in the background, it’s easy to forget how cold and windy it is outside.
Journaling.
I go through phases of really wanting to write, and am currently in one now. I always come back to journaling because it helps me to focus my thoughts, and is a comforting daily routine—especially for this time of year. To keep my entries from getting repetitive, I found a website that gives a daily one-word writing prompt. It’s fun to see what word I’ll be writing about each day, and even if I only fill one page, I end with a sense of accomplishment.
Good luck and stay cozy!
