The post-holiday winter season or, in other words, the “pointless” part of winter has really taken its toll this quarter. It’s that awkward time between January and March that exists only to dampen the atmosphere and deteriorate your motivation, while simultaneously providing you with a whole slew of reasons not to enjoy your life. Well, maybe it's not that dramatic, but it’s still a time that is predominantly filled with colds, frostbites, and ample amounts of laziness. So, with all of the lack of excitement during this dreary time of year, here are some winter “anti-depressants” to help you cope with this dry, frigid weather and to alleviate some of your sadness.
Keep doing “winter” things and pretend that it’s still Christmas time.
The holiday cheer may be long gone, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing all of the things that once made winter exciting and enjoyable. Play Christmas music, keep your tree up, wear those ugly holiday sweaters, go ice skating, or even play in the snow. Although the holidays and their days of anticipation are over, your “winter spirit” doesn’t have to be. It’s all about the mindset, right?
Drink that hot cocoa.
For some reason, hot beverages always make me feel better. The great news is that they’re right in season. Go to a cafe and get that fancy latte or mocha. Sit there and enjoy it. The warmth paired with a little bit of caffeine can be a quick and effective solution for any temporary slump.
Rock the winter wardrobe.
Shopping for clothing is always exciting, especially during this time of year. Stock up on cute sweaters, hats, and scarves. Wear it proudly, but don’t let fashion stop you there. You also have a major excuse to wear the baggiest forms of clothing. Nobody is going to question you when you’re simply trying to “bundle up.” You can be comfy, cute, and warm all at same time. There is no other time when you will be able to enjoy this luxury, so make sure to take advantage of it.
Hit the gym.
I know that this could be an "anti-depressant" for essentially anything, but making this a habit, especially during the winter, can work some incredible magic. An intensive, energizing workout really clears your mind and keeps you happy and motivated. This also helps to avoid the imminent weight gain from craving all of those extra carbs as a result of your lack of sun exposure and vitamin D. Basically, exercising is an amazing activity to do all around and its power should not be underestimated.
Do all 101 indoor activities.
You can watch a movie, play some cards, draw a picture, play a videogame, start a blog, bake a cake, plan a party--the list goes on and on. You can keep yourself busy with the things that you wouldn’t imagine doing as often if it were warmer. You’d be surprised by how easily you could occupy yourself with seemingly small, but fun activities that could help you forget about how depressing it is to glance outside your window.
Commiserate with someone.
At the end of the day, everyone is feeling this way to a considerable extent. The best form of comfort is probably to simply to be around other people. The "depression" is also most likely a result of a general lack of activity, so go out there and enjoy the presence of others. I promise that having company around is so much better than hibernating all season. Embrace the cold together and you’ll realize that this short period of time isn't so bad.
