10 cool ways to beat the wintertime blues

The sun refuses to shine. The skies are bleak. The grey clouds empty rain onto the drowning populace below.

Wintertime brings days that evoke the clichéd metaphors of a teenage break-up poem. If you’re anything like me*, during the colder months life becomes flat and uninspiring, and motivation hides somewhere amongst the summer clothes.

It’s easy to surrender to seasonal despondency. But instead of relinquishing to the winter blues, here are a few tips on embracing the rainy weather and cool evenings.

1. Splash in puddles.

Get some gumboots. Grab your umbrella. And run out into the rain and jump into those footpath puddles! You might look silly; you might get mud on your jeans – but who cares! Childlike joy is wonderful.

2. Hibernate

So you don’t feel like going out? Don’t! Curl up with the pile of books you’ve been meaning to read, or watch all three series of Game of Thrones in one weekend. This is a great time to restore and revitalise from the rest of the year’s busy social demands.

3. Find a fireplace

Is there anything more delicious than smelling woodfire on a cool evening? Well, yes – it’s snuggling in front of that fire, staring meaningfully into the dancing flames with a glass of fortified in your hand. Or Baileys. Or hot cocoa. Pick your poison.

4. Go to the beach

The beach isn’t just for hot weather. There’s something spiritual and mythic about the ocean, so rug up and go for a stroll on the sand and be restored.

5. Force yourself to go out

Leaving the house sucks. You can’t wear your dressing gown in public and it’s just. So. Cold. But pushing through the resistance, laziness, and comfort zone can yield brilliant results – so go to that thing. Say hello to those people. You never know what adventures will arise.

6. Exercise

I know you don’t feel like moving. Do it anyway because endorphins make you happy! Running or kicking a ball in the rain has a certain pleasure to it and if that doesn’t take your fancy, you can do lots of stuff inside. Bikram Yoga’s 40°C heating sounds tempting right now.

7. Do something creative with friends

Wind and hail isn’t conducive to a night out, so grab your girlfriends, lay down some newspaper and have a painting sesh in your lounge room. Or find your acoustic guitar and have a singalong, or experiment with the Exquisite Corpse. Get creative and do something different.

8. Experience the scent of rain

Sit on the porch while it’s raining. Breathe deeply. Exhale. Repeat.

9. Eat well (and lots)

Leeks and pumpkins and beetroot and pears are in season. Take advantage, because they won’t be fresh forever! Cook up a hearty winter dinner – having a full belly is incredibly satisfying when it’s chilly outside.

10. Spend time on you.

Sometimes it’s good to relinquish to cavewoman urges: stay in. If you can’t be bothered pulling on a winter coat and going to a pub on a Saturday night, spend some quality time with yourself. Sink into a delicious bubble bath. Pour a glass of red wine and journal. Paint your toenails. Treat yo’self!

*It’s okay if you love winter, you strange creature.