Embrace the Cold: Learn to Enjoy Winter

As someone who used to dread the cold dark days of winter, I’ve learned there are so many ways to take delight in the season instead. Sure frigid temps and early sunsets can be a downer, but by embracing winter head-on with the right mindset and activities, you may just find yourself having more fun than expected!

Bundle Up and Embrace the Outdoors

The secret to enjoying winter truly starts with accepting the weather reality and preparing yourself adequately for outdoor exploration. No matter how cold it gets where you live, the right winter garb makes all the difference.

Here are my top tips for dressing in layers:

• Base layer: Synthetic moisture-wicking shirts and leggings keep your skin dry
• Insulation: Fleece sweaters, down jackets provide lightweight warmth
• Outer shell: Waterproof and windproof coat, ski pants, winter boots, glove liners + insulated mittens/gloves, hats, scarves and face coverings like balaclavas or neck gaiters.

Once you sort out the right winter wear for the conditions, you’ll feel so much more confident and comfortable heading outside. And outdoor winter activities abound! Here are some of my favorites:

Snowshoeing

Strapping wide tennis-racket looking contraptions on your feet allows you to hike through deep snow on scenic trails. It’s excellent exercise too with all the leg lifting against the snow’s resistance.

Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding

Blissfully zooming down mountains offers an unmatched adrenaline adventure. Most ski resorts also have cozy lodges with roaring fireplaces for relaxing with hot cocoa!

Ice Skating

Gliding gracefully or clumsily on frozen lakes and ponds provides old-fashioned frosty fun and vibrant Instagram backdrops!

Winter Walks

Crisp air can be invigorating! And with philosophy surrounding hygge – the Danish secret to happiness in cold months by getting cozy – there’s motivation to soak up frosted landscape scenes.

From snow-dusted trees and holiday decorations to catching flakes on your tongue, cheerfully embracing the visual wonders of winter shifts your mindset.

Discover New Hobbies

Particularly on frigid days or evenings getting dark at 4 PM, having indoor hobbies and activities prepped provides reliable entertainment without depending on finicky winter weather cooperation.

Reading

Becoming absorbed in engrossing books or listening to audiobooks can make winter zip by happily from under plush blankets.

Tip: Choose uplifting page-turners and captivating memoirs sprinkled with humor. Learning and inspirational nonfiction boost your mood too.

Arts & Crafts

Unleashing your creativity with Pinterest-worthy projects gives a productive sense of fulfillment during long nights in. From needlework like knitting and crocheting to scrapbooking and calligraphy, you can even monetize artsy winter hobbies.

Online Learning

Have you always wanted to code a website, learn a new language, or become an Excel whiz? Many interactive e-learning platforms and app-based lessons let you gain useful skills this winter.

In-Home Workouts

Yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling, and dance workout videos mean you can stay active and healthy despite the weather. Regular exercise releases happiness hormones too.

Mind and Body Tips For Dodging the Winter Blues

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during darker winter periods can zap anyone’s normally cheery disposition. Implement these daily wellness routines to sidestep the winter funk:

• Use an energy-enhancing light therapy lamp for 30-60 minutes upon waking
• Take Vitamin D and Vitamin B supplements
• Drink plenty of water and warm Myriad health experts also advise fighting inflammation with omega-3 rich foods like salmon, walnuts, and avocados or supplements.
• Protect sleep consistency by avoiding later bedtimes from screens or seasonal parties. Melatonin supplements help regulate your sleep-wake cycle too.
• Make an effort to call or video chat friends and family regularly. Laughing together boosts bonding happiness hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.

Fun Winter Traditions

Shaking up your regular routine by implementing special seasonal activities, foods, and rituals makes the winter months zoom by with added merriment:

Fondue Party

Swirling breads, veggies, and meats into a bubbling pot of melted cheese or chocolate while chatting with friends feels indulgently cozy.

Pro Tip: Serve crunchy apples and grapes alongside for dipping along with cured meats, cubed breads, and cauliflower and broccoli florets.

Build an Epic Snow Fort

Channel your childhood memories and construct an impressive snow fort or quinzee igloo with family or friends! Make it big enough to hang out drinking hot toddies inside.

Ice Fishing

Trying your luck catching trout, walleye, or perch through a chopped hole on a frozen lake hooks you into hearty recollections for years plus a tasty fresh fish fry after!

Bake Festive Treats

Nothing perks up a dreary day like the nostalgic scents of snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, or homemade breads wafting from your oven. Pep up the fun by swapping cookie recipes with other winter-weary friends.

Drive or Walk to See Neighborhood Holiday Lights

Piling into cars with travel mugs filled with steaming beverages and cruising around neighborhoods aglow with colorful light displays and inflatables creates free festive family fun.

Plan Indoor Staycations

Still facing lackluster motivation to leave your toasty haven and mopey mood? That signals it’s time to infuse indoor hibernation with pampering and peaceful relaxation.

These specific self-care ideas will help thaw your winter blahs:

• Cook or order your favorite comfort foods like mac and cheese or ramen noodle soup
• Soak in a steamy bath surrounded by candlelight and essential oils
• Mix up winter-themed cocktails likes mugs of mulled wine or whiskey cider with cinnamon sticks
• Watch a marathon of holiday movies under a fuzzy blanket
• Give yourself an at-home facial and pedicure
• Get absorbed in video or tabletop games

Hunkering down and recharging amid creature comforts without pressure of errands or events outside truly hits the spot on bone-chilling days.

People Also Ask

What are some fun winter activities?

Sledding, ice skating, skiing, building snowmen and snow forts, having a snowball fight, walking around neighborhoods to see holiday lights displays, winter hiking, taking wintry photos, hitting up a warming hut for hot beverages after playing in snow parks.

How do you stay warm in cold weather?

Dress in insulating layers, wear winter accessories like hats, gloves and scarves, drink warming beverages like coffee and hot chocolate throughout the day, take hot baths, cuddle under thick blankets, keep your home heated to at least 68-70°F, use a humidifier indoors, eat warming winter foods like soups and stews.

What causes seasonal depression and how is it treated?

Lack of natural sunlight in winter months leading to imbalanced serotonin levels causes seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Treatments include light therapy, Vitamin D, antidepressants, talk therapy, keeping a regular daily schedule, regular exercise, staying social to combat isolation.

What are fun things to do indoors during winter?

Reading books, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, doing arts and crafts projects, board games and puzzles, video games, streaming workout classes, practicing yoga, baking and cooking new recipes, planning future warmer weather travels or bucket list goals, having at-home spa days.

What are the most popular winter sports?

Downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, sledding, curling, biathlon (combination of cross country skiing and rifle shooting).