Beat the Winter Blues

January has rolled around again, bringing a new year, snow, and the beginning of school and work.

For anyone who works anything similar to the usual 8-5 grind, it was a warm relief to have Christmas vacations just before the bad weather hit. Family, alcohol and sleeping in are usually some of the high points of most adult holidays.

Now that the fun is over with, it’s back to work. Students have classes and anyone who lives an office-job life has begrudgingly set their alarms for 7 AM.

Let’s be real, it gets us down. One month closer to summer, we keep telling ourselves, as we get pelted by flurries. One more day that’s just THAT much closer to T-shirts and barbecues. Until then, warm drinks and blankets become our best friends.

One upside; with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no reason why couples can’t share a little body heat on the couch while they watch TV. For me, though, the only snuggling I’ll get is from my very unwilling cat.

I don’t know about anyone else, but winter blues always seem to be a thing for me – I find it hard to drag myself out of bed in the mornings, checking the weather to see if I really really want to walk to work, or if I want to drag my sorry butt to the bus again.

However, there are a few things I look forward to that keep my mind off the unending snow. They don’t completely beat the blues but they sure are a comfort when I can hear the wind howling outside like I’m being haunted by a Banshee.

1. Coffee shops are the first on my list, but not the best.

I especially like the ones that splurge and go for fireplaces, cushy chairs, and in some I’ve even seen books and magazines. It’s worth the walk to cuddle up in a chair that I literally sink into with the newest Sarah Dessen novel or my laptop and a big cup of hot chocolate. It’s also a great date idea for those who want a cheap but comfy location.

2. Netflix, for sure.

Imagine; it’s a blizzard outside and everything’s shut down, but hey! You still have your power and there are episodes of your favourite TV show. Grab a warm meal, some slippers and a soft, fluffy blanket – insta-heaven.

3. Warm, thick blended soups and chowders.

I carry a thermos around all the time at work, and no, it’s not tea. I have the blessing of a blender at my house so my favourite thing to do before I go to bed is make myself some new recipe I found on the internet. It’s like cup-a-soup, but infinitely more delicious.

4. Fluffy sweaters.

Now we’re getting into my favourites. Nothing makes a chubby person like me happier than when everyone else is forced to look chubby too. I love to rock fleecy, fat sweaters that hang off my lumpy frame three sizes too big because all those extra folds of material are guaranteed to keep me warm on my walk to work.

5. Date Nights.

On the rare occasion that I have a date, date nights are a great thing. In the summertime it’s always picnics, walks, nature hikes to this pond or that lake to swim…..nahhh. I’m far too lazy for that, and it’s sweaty work. No one likes a sweaty date. When winter comes it’s all dinners and movies in, car rides to warm coffee shops, snuggles under piles of blankets. AKA, the time when I shine.

6. The gym.

Weird, right? Nobody goes to the gym after the post-January 14^th New Year’s resolution craze. It’s basically barren – just the way I like it. I can sweat and pant and grumble and continue to watch as my behind stubbornly refuses to shrink.

All jokes aside, Seasonal Affective Disorder is still a thing. A very, very bad thing, up there with chronic depression. It comes and goes, literally with the seasons, because of the lack of sunlight. As a sufferer myself, I know the best thing to do is hold out, remember that summer actually does exist, and try your best to keep yourself cheerful with warm and comforting activities.

Here’s to a warm, fluffy winter, filled with plenty of lovely things to keep the blues away. After all, it’s only five months ‘til summer!