Chase away those winter blues
The third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday — the saddest day of the year. But there are ways to warm up the cold months.
Holidays are over. Visiting family is long gone. Bills from holiday spending are coming in. Resolutions have been made, changed, broken, made again or discarded. Christmas trees, menorah or whatever way you celebrate and decorate have all been returned to the attic.
It’s still winter. And some have even dubbed the third Monday in January as Blue Monday — the saddest day of the year. So now what?
Campingwithstyle.co.uk offers some suggestions for chasing the blues away:
—Learn something new about nature, whether it’s birds, trees or constellations. Grab a book or online class and dive in.
—Plan a micro adventure. Take a weekend and either don’t make any plans and just do whatever the mood strikes you for two days or pick a nearby city you’ve never visited, book a room and go exploring.
—Make the effort to cut down on single-use plastics in your daily life. With wheels turning dangerously slow everywhere from local communities to the national agenda, it’s up to individuals to make a change. And it takes some research and time, which is a perfect winter project.
—Try meditating, and not just for one minute. Give it a fair shake. Loads of studies extol the benefits of having a quiet mind. Skeptical? Check out the book, “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.”
—Tackle the cleaning or decluttering you’re always thinking about. Keep it doable. Decide to clean one room or even one corner of a room or bookshelf. Then sit back with a cup of tea and admire your handiwork.
—Consume positivity. “Everything you mentally consume, from entertainment to the news, influences your well-being,” ercare24.com said in their article, “5 Happiness Hacks Chase Away the Winter Blues.” They suggest to try and think of TV shows, music and conversational topics as positive or negative fuel for your spirit. “Pause occasionally to consider what type of fodder you’re allowing in your mind. Is it inspiring and heartening? If not, change tack and enrich your soul with nourishing fare.”
—Specifically, in Wayne and Holmes counties, it’s worthwhile to take a look around at local venues to see what’s happening. Local wineries and restaurants often have music and events. Coffee shops are a welcome respite from the cold and are usually filled with friendly faces enjoying a cuppa.
The Wooster Community Center and the public library offer a variety of classes and programs for every age, interest and ability. Wayne Center for the Arts might just be the place to finally take that pottery or watercolor class you’ve been dreaming about for years. Try a yoga class or start doing zumba. Your mind and your body will thank you.
And there is beauty in the area’s many parks and walkways in the winter. Views obscured by trees the rest of the year are revealed, and places tend to be less crowded. Walking, even if it’s just around the block, is always a good choice for clearing the cobwebs and getting in the habit of getting out. Too cold or icy? Try the high school indoor track, a treadmill at the gym or take a spin around the perimeter of Lowe’s.
Nothing going on that appeals? Create an event by inviting a few friends over for a potluck, a night of board games, a movie, a jigsaw puzzle or an impromptu cooking lesson.
Nothing resonates? Take a few days and think about what it is you’ve always wanted to do, try, go or be but never had the time. Next time you find yourself feeling like the winter is dragging on and on, stop putting it off and go for it.
Who says winter has to be blue or boring? Sometimes, it’s all just a matter of a little planning, a touch of optimism and taking a chance to try something different.
Finally, if what you’re feeling goes beyond these fixes, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You’re not alone. In Wayne and Holmes counties, call United Way’s WHIRE help line for a referral to any of a variety of community resources at 330-263-6363. If in crisis, call 330-264-9029.