Since winter is officially upon us, the sun abandons us earlier and leaves us among the darkness to finish off the last of our assessments for this semester. With almost full determination (though I make no promises, my dear readers) I can say that we can survive this winter as we did all the others. Even though assignments this time around seem to be kicking everyone to the curb, we can overcome them and hopefully it won’t be long until the winter holidays make a dramatic entrance. It would be about time anyways: I can honestly admit that I wouldn’t mind a break away from schoolwork. But until then, we must fight against the winter gloom that is slowly starting to upset the masses, and take measures that will guarantee us a happier mood this winter. Hence, I have compiled a few general suggestions that can potentially help you fight off the winter rot.
The main point is to stay active. And this doesn’t necessarily have to be in the exercise kind of way, though I would recommend setting yourself a routine for going to the gym or the pool. Even spending 30 minutes a day doing a light exercise can boost your self-esteem. This can even include simply putting on your warmest coat (to protect you from the horrendous frosty weather we’re experiencing at the moment) and going on a long walk. However, as I said, exercise is not the only means of staying active. As long as you keep your mind occupied, then I say it counts. The best way to do that is through hobbies.
One of the best hobbies I can recommend getting into during the winter is baking. There is nothing quite as good as having homemade treats during the colder season. Besides that, cooking can be quite therapeutic at times too (and a stress reliever if a few of my friends are to be believed). Sometimes simply following a recipe and putting your mind into doing one single task can relax your whole system. It also helps that at the end of it you have the pleasure of snacking on the sweet treats you have created. And now that Christmas is slowly approaching, don’t be shy and be creative enough to bake some top-notch Christmas snacks. The joy you might experience from making them will certainly put you not only in a better mood, but also a festive one at that.
Now, I know that during the colder and darker seasons most people will want to curl up in bed and rot a little in the comfort of their blankets and stuffed animals. But the only way you can stay gloom-free and make the most of your winter is by experiencing what it has to offer. Be that person that drags your friends outside, go see all the attractions that Aberdeen has to offer, and make the most of the short days. When going on a walk, layer up and maybe even dress up fancily for the season. Don’t let the cold weather dictate how you spend your days.
And if you just want to enjoy the comfort of your home, that’s good too. Grab a hold of some candles and light them up around you to create a cosy atmosphere. Then, be creative. Painting, crocheting, cross-stitching, writing, playing an instrument, or anything else that comes to your mind. Just enjoy the free moments by stimulating your brain instead of lying in bed all day and wasting your time away. From experience, I have noticed that you feel like you made the most of your day if you were busy doing things throughout it. Most of the time, lying down and scrolling through TikTok for hours on end can only make me feel exhausted and unwilling to do anything productive. So, be that person that makes your brain happy by keeping it busy and active at any time of the year, even during the days when the cold is waiting outside to freeze you. Don’t let it keep you that way, and instead, unfreeze yourself.