Activities To Help You Stay Positive This Winter

Winter is a time when we are often stuck indoors. It can feel unmotivating and saddening to see less sunlight and spend less time with friends or family. These massive changes often lead to seasonal depression or SAD.

If this is something you struggle with, you aren’t alone. Along with speaking to your healthcare provider, there are practical ways you can add some positivity back into your day.

Staying busy during the colder months with fun activities you enjoy helps boost your mood and keeps you mentally, emotionally, and socially engaged. Try these ten suggestions to lift your spirits and keep your winter exciting and fun this year.

Visit a popular library or bookstore

For bookworms who prefer a cosy, quiet corner and a warm drink, this is a great option. Explore bigger collections of books by visiting a bigger library or bookstore in your area. 

It’s a great way to find gifts for loved ones and gets you out of the house and reading something new. Many of these libraries have cafes, so you can even enjoy a nice afternoon snack while you peruse between volumes. 

Explore a local indoor farmer’s market

This is a fun option that helps you get to know local vendors and farmers in your area. Indoor farmer’s markets are full of fresh produce, artisanal breads, and local treats unique to your community.

Stock up on seasonal favourites and local specialities, or buy new treats to share with your friends and family. It may even spark some motivation to try a new recipe or cuisine.

Set up a movie marathon

The perfect activity to collaborate with friends or family is to plan a movie night. Pick a theme or genre for the entire night and have everyone contribute their favourites, whether it’s horror-filled with cult classics from the 80s or Disney princesses sing-a-longs over the years.

Create a menu of snacks or plan dinner based on your theme or genre to keep everyone immersed in the fun.

See a light show

This is a fun activity that’s popular in colder months and makes a great option for family drives or a cosy date night. 

Find a local park, community centre, or light attraction that’s hosting a drive-through display. Then pack the car with flasks of hot cocoa, snacks and warm blankets. Blast festive tunes or your favourite music while you drive through the show and take in the beautiful display from the comfort of your car.

Listen to live music

If you’re a music lover, this is a surefire way to boost your mood. Listen to local bands play and enjoy a cocktail or two at your local pub for a fun and easygoing night. Mingle with locals or take a group of friends and jam out to tributes and covers of your favourite artists.

There are plenty of venues that offer live music. If you’re in the Dublin and Temple Bar area, try a famous pub like Four Dame Lane, which offers new acts and live bands every week.

Host a snow day barbecue

Who says the grill has to turn off just cause the temperature drops? Have friends over and host a barbecue with plenty of delicious grilled meats and veg on the menu. 

It’s best to plan this after a snow day so you and your friends can enjoy a back garden snowball fight after the meal. Warm up inside with hot drinks and a good laugh afterwards.

Try a new winter sport

Are you active and enjoy learning new activities? Or have you always shied away from trying a certain sport you’d love to learn? Try to find classes or local groups that host demonstrations for these popular winter sports:

• Ice skating
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Bobsledding 
• Snow tubing 

Getting out of your comfort zone and trying a new activity is a great way to boost your mood and self confidence.

Plan a family game night

While video games are great fun, it’s important to keep this game night to board games to stay engaged mentally and test your family’s brain skills. Have everyone invited pick their favourite board and card games, from trivia classics to Monopoly and everything in between. 

Even have your little ones pick their favourite simple games or suggest new ones they want to learn. Make a big spread of snacks and spend the night playing and engaging together away from screens for a while.

Start a new project

This could be something crafty, like making a scrapbook or painting an indoor mural. It could also be a hands-on skill like starting an indoor herb garden or growing winter veggies. You can even try experimenting in your kitchen by learning new recipes like baking the perfect sourdough loaf.

Projects engage and uplift us because we learn a new skill, and we get to watch ourselves progress. If you prefer your own company or enjoy focusing on self-development, starting a new project may be a great option for you.

Plan your next holiday

Sometimes, there is nothing that will beat the winter blues except a getaway. Is there a destination you’ve been dying to visit that you can save for in the coming months? Maybe a staycation at a resort and spa up north you’ve been dying to try? 

Whatever your preference, planning a holiday is a great way to stay positive because it gives you something to look forward to as you long for the warmer weather’s return.

Conclusion

Even though the days are shorter and there seems to be less to do to keep us busy, there are plenty of activities we can try to stay positive and upbeat this winter season. 

Use a little bit of creativity and have a sense of adventure to make the most of your winter this year. For more ideas on positive activities to try or advice on staying healthy, check out our other posts here.

Photo by Tijs van Leur on Unsplash