For most of us, winter is a long and harsh season. This is especially true during particularly harsh winters, with multiple snowstorms, cold rain, and ice. This can create dangerous situations and prevent people from not only getting things done but also enjoying many outdoor activities.
This winter has been particularly harsh for many states. Several snowstorms dumped a foot of snow, and then frigid temperatures kept the snow on the ground for months. While this has been common in the past few decades, this is the first time many states have had snow on the ground for this long. As a result, winter feels like it lasts forever, making it very difficult for people to enjoy it.
Instead of counting down the days until spring, there are ways to enjoy winter. Here are some ways to enjoy and even grow during the winter months.
Start an indoor hobby
Many people love spring and summer because they can enjoy the outdoors. This allows you to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, running, and walking, enjoy fresh air, and connect with nature. It not only helps people manage their physical health, but also helps them spiritually connect with God. Heavy snowfall in winter makes outdoor activities very difficult.
Brainstorm fun things to do indoors. You may prefer quieter activities such as puzzles, crossword puzzles, or arts and crafts. If you want to exercise, buy an indoor walking pad. This slim walking pad resembles a treadmill without the bars to help you hang on. When installed in the living room, it can be oriented towards the TV. You can watch TV or enjoy movies while walking. This not only helps you reach your step goals, but also improves your physical health.
If you can afford it, invest in an indoor gym. Getting weights, a bench, or other equipment and doing weight-bearing exercises will not only build muscle but also improve your cardiovascular health. Exercise that involves weight can often have a more significant impact on your physical health than walking or jogging. Replace outdoor walking time with indoor gym time. You may find it difficult to gain muscle and lose fat.
For extra incentive, challenge a friend or two to exercise with you. They can be physically with you while you exercise, or they can do the exercises at home. Check in with each other regularly to see how well you’re doing. Through healthy competition, you can make weight-bearing exercises more engaging and rewarding.
play board games
You can kill time with computer or cell phone games, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned board game. Invite your friends to play. It can be a classic game like Monopoly for Scrabble or a newer game like Ticket to Ride or What Do You Meme? No matter which game you choose, try to have fun with your friends. While you may not be able to satisfy your desire to go outside and enjoy fresh air and nature, you can replace it by spending time with friends and making memories.
If you can’t invite a friend from home, consider a Zoom call. You can have your friends join you on Zoom, and everyone can play the game in front of you and play together. By using strategy and skill, you can find group games that enhance team building and strengthen bonds. This may be more effective than going for a walk.
Create a winter-themed night
If you’re creative, think of games and activities you can do when it’s cold outside. Make shaved ice, crumple white paper and have an indoor snowball fight, or make classic ice cream. You can also watch winter-themed movies and talk about your favorite things about winter. Being together not only strengthens family ties but also turns a boring and gloomy season into a positive one.
You can also go outside and enjoy the snow. Make a snow angel or a snowman. Enjoy an old-fashioned day in the snow and relive old childhood memories, even if it’s just you and your lover or spouse. Memories made by positively surviving tough seasons can help strengthen your bond as a couple and family in new and exciting ways.
Start your spring cleaning early
Instead of spending warm days indoors cleaning the house, make it a winter cleaning session. Focus on cleaning one area of your home each week. Organize your closet, clean your garage, wash your curtains, and change your bedding. You can even go a step further and redecorate each room of your home or create a theme. If your budget allows, you can also purchase new cushions, bedspreads, and rugs. It’s so much fun to explore all the creative possibilities when it comes to your home.
You can also create different themes for each room of your house and decorate accordingly. For example, the bathroom can be beachy, the kitchen can be a farmhouse, and the living room can be a contemporary theme. It’s also a great way to make the most of your extra time indoors, instead of spending days indoors when you’d rather be outside.
If doing chores doesn’t excite you, consider taking on a new home project. You can redecorate the walls of your home or tackle a project you’ve always wanted to do but have been putting off. Install hardwood floors in your home or update your kitchen and living spaces.
Use your time outdoors to strategically plan the projects you want to pursue while counting down the days until spring.
watch old movies
If passive activities are stimulating, consider watching a movie you’ve never seen before. Research some classic movies or movies from the decade you were born in and watch those titles. Compare and contrast how life has changed, what is depicted in old movies and what is depicted today. Talk to your spouse or other people watching the movie and share your thoughts on what you wish had changed and what you would like to see back in the good old days.
You can take it a step further and dress up as your favorite character or create a skit or play based on what you see. Choose one character from the movie you’re watching and create something new. Write a script that outlines your chosen character. Write a play or movie based on what their life is like outside of the movies you’ve seen. It will be fun to brainstorm together what it would be like to create new characters with new plots, while venturing into the world of screenwriting and creating new films and characters for others to enjoy.
For some people, winter can feel like it’s been going on for years. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. By implementing some of the suggestions above or coming up with your own, winter will be a fun and exciting time for you and your family. All you need is a little creativity, ingenuity, and a positive outlook on a season that brings frigid temperatures and barren trees.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/skynesher
Michelle S. Lazurek is an award-winning multi-genre author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. She is a literary agent with Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spiritual Reset podcast. Her new children’s book, Hall of Faith, encourages children to understand that God can be trusted. When I’m not working, I enjoy drinking Starbucks lattes, collecting 80’s memorabilia, and spending time with my family and dog. For more information, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.
