With the days getting shorter, and the nights getting longer, it’s safe to say that winter is coming, and along with winter come the dreaded “winter blues”.
The winter blues, a depression also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a condition that creeps up in fall and winter, before lifting in the spring. While many of us welcome the new season with cozy blankets and hot apple cider, people that suffer from the winter blues, however, experience symptoms such as long lasting sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and an increased need for sleep.
Now before you go around telling anybody and everybody that you have SAD, you should make sure that you aren’t confusing SAD with your dislike for winter. Laziness from being cooped up inside and with less room for activity is not the same as the signs of clinical depression, and without a proper diagnoses of SAD, you might just be overestimating the cold’s impact on your mood.
Even then, who says the cold weather has to bring you down? Whether if you’re wading through snow or rain, winter is a beautiful season best spent with family and friends. Still worried about the upcoming winter? Don’t stress; we’ve created a list of fun things to help you get by.
Read it, save it, and follow it. Because ready or not, winter is here!
1. Arrange a holiday trip with friends
The sweet smell of pine trees, and crisp winter air. It’s time to get out of the house and enjoy the cool winter weather. Whether it’s a weekend trip to the mountains or a day trip to your local coffee shop for some sweet drinks, almost everything’s better with friends. And if you don’t have friends or family that enjoy participating in anything winter-related, don’t sweat it.
There are social apps like Friendable that can help connect you with people with the same interests right where you are. With Friendable, you’ll be able to set up a fun, holiday gatherings straight through the app, and make new friends in the process.
2. Go on an adventure
Winter may be one of the only times of the year when you can get a few days off. So grab your camera, a thermos of hot chocolate, and a friend as you take a trip around wherever you are. To make things even more interesting, turn your adventure into a treasure hunt with apps like Geocaching.
Geochaching takes you around the city to find hidden containers filled with random nick-knacks and treasures from other adventurers just like you! Even if it costs a pretty penny ($9.99 in the App Store), Geocaching will take you to the hidden treasures all over your city.
3. Create a new version of hot chocolate
Chocolate has been known to defuse stress, and as it melts on your tongue, you can literally feel the satisfaction in your mouth. If you’re stressed out by this winter weather, make some hot chocolate! To spice things up, add a peppermint stick into your hot chocolate or some espresso.
You can even make it a competition within your family to see who can come up with the most creative, yet delicious hot chocolate drink. But if you’re lacking some inspiration or just want a sure-fire way of impressing some friends, there’s always a handy cheat.
The Food Network app is a goldmine of special recipes from world-famous chefs, cooks and other users! If you’re looking for your new favorite holiday drink, the recipe might just be in there.
4. Check out a holiday concert
Celebrate the holidays with some music! Concerts are always fun, and it’s an activity that both your family and friends can enjoy together, whether you’re sitting in the back with your friends enjoying some cold weather drinks or right in the middle of the crowd.
Check out local churches or college campuses for talented entertainers that come back for the holidays. An artist doesn’t have to be well known to be a great performer! If you’re stuck on finding something to watch or someone to listen to, Bandsintown is a great tool for finding concerts big and small near you.
Enjoy the local artists buzzing in your area, free community concerts or big shows. If you’re in the mood for it, Bandsintown will help you find it.
5. Get in shape
Summer bodies are made in winter. Exercise, in any way, shape, or form, is known to be a stress reliever and can help improve your mood. Winter blues got you in a rut? Try doing some aerobics, going for a quick jog or trying out new workout apps such as Sworkit. Sworkit allows you to customize your entire workout to fit your schedule and needs, all without having to pay for a monthly gym membership.
Sworkit gives you the option to choose from dozens of workouts for someone just getting started on their New Year’s resolutions or the athlete trying to stay active during the off season.
The dreaded winter blues (or your general dislike for winter) no longer has to be so horrid. From arranging a holiday trip with your friends on Friendable to enjoying awesome holiday concerts with your family with Bandsintown, the winter season’s got nothing on you!
Bundle up, go outside, and enjoy the season with your loved ones with some handy apps to help inspire you this holiday season. Winter is here and there’s nothing else you can do but to embrace it.
