11 Incredible Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

By the time February rolls around, we’re so tired of winter. Seriously, we’re so ready for warmer weather, pool days and enjoying the outdoors. But winter doesn’t always have to be bad.

If you’re like us, then you’re searching for ways to beat the winter blues. We have 11 great recommendations for making the rest of winter fun, so you’re enjoying yourself until spring begins in March.

This blog post is all about how to beat the winter blues.

1. Plan a Weekend Road Trip to Someplace Warmer

Taking a little time to escape the cold weather is a good way to refresh and get ready to gear up for the little time that you have to wait for it to warm up in your area. If you have a free weekend coming up, plan a fun road trip and head to someplace with nicer weather.

Getting away for a few days is the perfect way to lift your mood. Everyone needs a change of pace and an escape from the cold. If possible, we recommend finding a beach town. There are great deals in the off season.

2. Unplug for a Self-Care Weekend

Everyone needs time to focus on self-care. Dedicate an entire weekend to staying away from tasks and just focus on yourself. No texting, calling, emailing, etc. No social media. Just time dedicated to fun and relaxation.

The whole idea of an unplugged weekend is to have time to do things that you want, without any distractions. If you need ideas, check out our recent blog post: 15 Amazing Self-Care Activities to Add to Your Routine.

3. Find a Local Indoor Pool

Swimming doesn’t just have to be a summer activity. Plenty of places have indoor pools and hot tubs for locals to use at a reasonable cost. If you love to swim, consider finding the options nearby and dedicate a day to enjoying the pool.

4. Find a Fun Indoor Activity

If you’re stuck indoors, you might as well make the most of it. Find stuff that you can enjoy without having to brave the cold. Some ideas include going to an escape room, an arcade or visiting a rock-climbing gym.

There are plenty of fun indoor activities that you should prioritize during the winter because once the nice weather starts, you’re going to want to be outside more often. We recommended seeing what fun indoor activities are open near you.

5. Find Ways to Stay Physically Active

Whether you’d rather be indoors or outdoors, make time to stay active. Book a one-time exercise class, like yoga or zumba for some indoor exercise. If you don’t mind being outside, consider going for runs or long walks.

There are many ways to stay active that can fit your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to try new things and bring some friends along with you.

6. Get Lost in a Good Book

A cozy night in with a book is just what you need, trust us. If the weather is bad, there’s something so comforting about a book and a warm home. Our preferred beverage options to go with it are coffee and hot chocolate.

If you’re big readers like we are, then consider making a reading corner in your home. You don’t need much, just a cozy chair, a warm blanket and a small table. But you can make it fancier with nice decor and bookshelves.

7. Have a Movie or Game Night with Friends

Being around friends makes everything better. Plan a night of fun before winter is over. Invite your favorite people over and have a bunch of movies and games ready. You could even do both. Start with a fun game and then watch a movie afterwards.

8. Invest in Light Therapy

Previously, we wrote about seasonal depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is real and it impacts a lot of people. If it’s becoming difficult for you, invest in light therapy. The dark winter days are difficult and light therapy really can help imitate the light of summer.

9. Start a New Hobby

We feel like we get into a rut during the winter, which seems to be true for many people. We’re much more active during the spring, summer and fall. One way to get over the winter blues is to find a new hobby. Finding a way to enjoy your downtime more can lift your mood.

Try something you’ve always wanted to do and just go for it. You don’t have to be an expert or protégé, do something new out of pure enjoyment.

10. Embrace Winter Activities

Use this time to do all the stuff you can’t do any other time of the year. Go cross country skiing, snowboarding or ice skating. If you still have a sled in your garage, take that out and find a big hill to sled down. It doesn’t matter how old you are.

Take the time to do any winter activities you want to do. Because once spring happens, it’ll be too late. Even if you’re ready for spring, get in a few fun winter activities to close out the season.

11. Start Planning for Spring and Summer

Start planning for all the amazing things you want to do in spring and summer. It’s the perfect time to start planning vacation and events for the warmer months of the year. Especially since these months tend to be busier for travel, get good deals by planning everything in advance.

Also, keep your calendars up to date for weddings, parties and other events you’re looking forward to this year. It’s best to plan activities in advance and also take the time to decide what you want to do this year. Maybe explore a new city, hit up an amusement park or dedicate time to relaxation.