On Sunday we turn our clocks back in hopes for the Spring season to start, but all I feel is Deja Vu with all this snow
I'm not sure if it's just because I've been away for a while and only recently moved back to the city, but this winter has seemed to last for much longer than 6 months. In BC you get winter and snow, and it sticks around, but sometimes there are mild patches where the sun is out and the breeze is nice. As I watch the calm of the snow falling outside and the accessory of white stuff on the cars and street, I have to sigh out of annoyance.
March is one of my favourite months. It happens to be my birthday month and the month in the year when the seasons turn and nature begins to wake from it's wintery slumber. March can also be a month where we ask ourselves, is this going to be the last snow fall or what?
Don't get me wrong, I like snow. I would much rather have snow than rain. I hate getting wet, and having rain all the time would kill whatever positivity I have left in my body. I like the snow because it acts as a colour pop to the darkness and muddiness of winter time. Today when it snowed, I just thought out loud, can we give it a rest already. We need some sunlight people!
I work in an environment where I cannot see the outside, so during my work week I am not getting much sunshine in my life. There are many times where I get up for work and it's dark and by the time I am finished, it is dark again. My days off may have rain and snow trickled in between like everyone else's during this time of year.
Like most Canadians I have been in my winter jacket for months now and I think I've now had enough of wearing the same wardrobe every day. I look longingly at my trench coat and white sneakers and think, we are almost there baby, almost.
I thought of putting a list together of some of the things I do to try and beat the winter blues. Some of you probably have the same things on your list too!
Some of my tricks to kill the winter blues
Make a giant pot of tea and either bake some cookies or a loaf to eat it with. The smells are relaxing and the hot liquid cures your frigged soul
Get a soup going. You need something to warm your bones after trudging along in the cold outside. The easiest ones are puree soups. Load the pot full of veg, add the stock and let it simmer until tender, blend it up and you have dinner!
Speaking of outside, go out and walk around for a bit. It's hard to motivate yourself to actually get up and do it, but once you do it can make you feel better
Take your vitamins. Most Canadians are missing serious vitamin D. I got a load of it myself when I had a quick trip to the Caribbean in January. That was already 2 months ago, so those rays left my body ages ago, so I have to take a supplement to help my body through the season
Use the time indoors to get some cleaning and organizing on. I like to go through my wardrobe when switching seasons, so I can find some clothes to donate which I don't wear anymore
Wear your lip balm and moisturize your feet and face. Nothing worse than flaking out after you take off your hat and coat
Go away for a weekend to a place that celebrates the outdoors. Most of us who are stuck in the city know the pains of seasonal affective disorder. It's sometimes nice to get out to a community that celebrates winter, rather than hates it. Even if you don't ski or snowboard, you can sure sit in the hot tub or by the fire with the Après crowd
Hopefully you find some use out of these tips. My suggestion is if you don't have anywhere to go today, grab a dark beer and put on a few movies and cozy up on the couch or in your bed. Some days are better spent at home, dreaming of traveling and the sunnier times of year.