1) Coffee. Being a barista, this is absurdly easy for me to come by, which is stellar because some days a good cup of Joe seems like the only thing that keeps me going. Coffee is one thing that is improved by the winter. I drink it year round and during the summer months, I'll be sweating up a storm in the office (my second job) before 9:00 AM. I can't get into iced coffee no matter how much flavor I try. Therefore, January consists of many enjoyed cups of black coffee. Zero calories, zero problems!
2) Find the sunshine. It gets dark early, which sucks. I always feel like the day is over by 6:00 PM. That is why I try to take advantage of the most sunshine I can get. Whenever Mr. Golden Sun is peeking out behind the dreariness when I'm on a break between classes, instead of heading straight to the coffee shop, I'll take a quick walk around campus before settling down. There will be plenty of time to hit the books when it's dark; enjoy the sunshine while it's there!
3) Exercise. I played nearly every sport throughout middle and high school, but I never liked conditioning and I never liked exercising when being told what to do. I absolutely hated running, as it was mostly used as a punishment. I thought I would never like exercise until I rediscovered it on my own in college. Now a typical exercise for me involves running two miles and various weight-lifting. That will change once I get bored with it. I love the feeling I get after a good workout and the feeling of accomplishment I have when I push my body to the limit. Working up a sweat also makes coming back to a cold apartment more bearable.
Don't like exercise? My advice: just like I believe there is a type of book out there for everyone, I believe there is an exercise that everyone likes. P90x isn't for you? It isn't for me either. There are so many other options: walking, jogging, weight-lifting, kick-boxing, yoga, cycling, dance, swimming. etc... Is money an issue? Look for exercise videos on YouTube or check to see if your local library loans workout DVDs (mine does for free).
4) Get artsy. When you're snowed in, try to teach yourself how to sew, read that gothic novel you've always thought about trying. Draw a picture, try some crafts. Don't let old man winter and his negativity get you down!
5) Use your oven. LOL. I cannot cook for the life of me, but I always have a lot of fun trying. I failed at sugar cookies in my latest attempt. These were supposed to look like dinosaurs... yeah. It was something that kept my hands busy, though. Not to mention, using the oven is like free heat for your apartment/house!
DO NOT DO: (This is quick, I promise!)
1) Tanning. Please, please, please do not fake bake! I know that it is trendy and nobody likes being pasty. Laying under UV rays makes you feel good. It is so bad for you, though no matter what the posters on the walls of the salon say. Cancer is a real issue; even if it is cured, it is extremely expensive (even with good insurance) and will need checked up on every so often for the rest of your life. Spare yourself the risk, and you'll never have to worry about becoming orange. PSA over.
2) Drink and Drive. After a pregame sesh at your BFFs place, it may seem a lot easier to just hop into someone's car and drive a couple streets to the big party than to bundle up and walk through the snow. It is very tempting, but please don't! Also, if you're going to DD, be careful who you drive around. If one of your friends has an open beverage in your vehicle and you get pulled over, YOU will be in legal trouble, regardless of whether or not you are sober.
How do you stay happy during the cold months?
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