When it’s cold outside we retreat like hibernating bears to our warm caves, except for necessary forays to the workplace and to gather food. Those caves can be awfully comforting when the weather outside is frightful, but indoor living can also lead to the blues or even depression. What to do?
The trick is to commit to doing something outside the cave. Something that you enjoy or care about enough to motivate you. Something that makes you want to get up and out of your cave and participate in the vibrant, real world. Here are some tried-and-true ways to fight back against that winter inertia and expand your mind/life at the same time:
- Be a temporary dog or cat owner: There are organizations that match volunteers with dogs and cats for various periods of time (called “fostering” – here’s more on that). This can also afford you the chance to find out if you would like to have a pet of your own, and meaningfully help out a local shelter. Research suggests that pet ownership leads to better mental and physical health, and the popularity of cat and dog videos on social media reveals how much all our hearts are opened by these furry beauties.
- Join a club: Doesn’t matter what kind – book club, knitting circle, music lovers, birders. Anything that you enjoy sufficiently to motivate you to leave your cozy cocoon. Being part of a group involves a commitment to that group, and the guilt about not showing up might be enough to propel you through the door of your cave. Or start a club in your own cave so you don’t even have to leave.
- Move your body: Yoga is a great indoor activity to help you stay in shape over the winter. For those who can’t or don’t want to yoga, tai chi is a marvelously graceful, meditative form of exercise. And if you crave something more aggressive, tai chi has a martial arts side you can gravitate to.
- Take a class: Find a seminar, talk or class in something that you’ve always wanted to explore. Jazz, female writers, movie making, screenplay writing, jewelry making. Take it seriously and it might lead to a whole new career. At the very least, you’ll meet people who share your interest and expand your social circle. If you’re in NYC, The Center for Social Innovation and the 92Y are both really good places to start looking.
- Volunteer: Local hospitals welcome volunteers to read to the elderly or children. Churches and community groups are eager to recruit people to help out in soup kitchens and take elderly folk to appointments. Animal shelters need help to walk dogs and socialize potential pets so they have a better chance at getting adopted. By helping others you will also be helping yourself, and the rosy glow of your cheeks will be matched by the rosy glow of your virtue.
And a few more just for New Yorkers:
- Explore NY: This wonderful city of NY has an ever-changing roster of events on offer daily, many of them free. Every Friday, the Weekend section of the New York Times lists a variety of things to do in all five boroughs. Concerts (rap, pop, classical – take your pick), movies, museums, comedy clubs, plays, walking tours – they’re all here. Arrange to do them with a friend so you don’t chicken out.
- Check out the new Whitney Museum: It’s crammed with young and interesting looking people and the art is amazing. Then walk the High Line to see your city from a whole new perspective.
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge: Why? Why not? It’s a fun thing to do that many tourists enjoy but locals don’t think to experience. And Brooklyn Park at the other end is awesome. End up by taking the ferry back to Manhattan and see your city from the water. It will make you proud and happy that you live here.
When all else fails and the winter blues persist… Count your blessings, plan a spring trip, and remember what the poet said – “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
This would be very helpful as I have been really struggling to find my spark especially since I am a dancer. I ‘ve felt that I can’t do anything right in dance and get so frustrated. I just have been feeling so useless. I thing Fostering a cat or dog would be a good idea. Thank you urbanette for helping us out. I am already excited.
Winter blues is so true. Although I haven’t really considered these things to add to my to-do list, I’ve been starting to feel really lethargic lately and I just never want to get out of bed. I should try and go out and have fun. I can’t let this get the best of me.
I try beating my Winter Blues by just relaxing. I’m aware that it’s bed weather and I just relish on the fact that I rarely take the time to rest. Not everyone benefits from going out, especially if one is an introvert and would prefer times like this to finally relax and have quiet time.?
With the extreme temperatures that’s happening, I don’t think I’d risk going out just because of a class I wanted to take. I’d rather just do things indoors to keep depression out of bay. I could always try and do fun things at home to lighten up the mood. I don’t prefer freezing my ass off and catch a cold just because I want to be adventurous. Winter blues only get worse when people try not to do something about it as soon as the symptoms (feelings) start. In my opinion, as long as you do something about the feelings ASAP, it’s possible to get through it faster.
Bottomline, just socialize with people. Walking around the same four walls of your house makes you feel so alone and lonely. Humans are very social creatures and crave interaction every now and then. I live alone and even if it has nothing to do with Winter blues, I always take the time to call people and ask them to hang out because after about 2-3 days of no proper interaction, I start to feel like I’m about to go crazy. I told my friends about this and I’m glad that they’re helping me cope. I just hope they don’t get tired asking me if they can come over because they think that I really need people to interact with. I’m thankful that they’re helping me though. I love them a lot.
I already own cats so I don’t think I can foster more. But my pets definitely makes all the winter blues go away.? I’ll just volunteer instead. I’ll gladly help those animals.
I’m always taking vitamin D and Getting out of doors and out of my routine are particularly helpful for me.
Thanks again for another great article!
Thank you for sharing this article. I’m certainly going to try your suggestions. I’ve been beating myself up over why I feel so low and out since the time change. So we have decided that my boyfriend and I are committing to walking after work. Also great to start a cozy evening together.
What a wonderful set of ideas, and lots of good and helpful advice.
I see I’m not the only one who feels blue when it’s winter. I dislike winter, It’s even worse when you have health issues. I’m going to make new habits of engaging with my friends and family, and get outdoors more often.
Thanks for this. 🙂
Great article. I’m one of those who do better with longer sunny days. I have found that the best treatment of all is to live in a sunnier area. Even a quick walk around the block is better than nothing.Thanks for posting this list! Very helpful, much appreciated.