While some people swear to do light therapies and Vitamin D cures, I’ve decided to do my personal “High Spirits Method” to develop more vigor and to get a leg up on this to beat the winter blues:
So here are my “10 plus 1 High Spirit Tips” against the winter blues:
1. Give yourself a treat: Go to an interactive theater! “Accomplice” is part game, part show, and part tour. NYC offers two different types of tours – so go ahead, explore the city in a different way, make new friends, and have outdoor fun with a group of people. A good time is guaranteed and fresh air included!
2. Laugh hard: Throw on the popcorn maker; invite your best buddies for “the funniest movies ever” movie night. “Airplane!” or “Hangover” is rated with at least 2.4 laughs a minute. The goofier, the better.
3. Play against the winter blues: Got a Wii at home? Board games like “Activity” or “Nobody’s Perfect”? Grab some friends or family and do some fun games. The classic game with fun guarantee is definitely “Twister.”
4. Wellness shrinks the winter blues: Invite a friend and do a wellness day at home. Mix your own masks, peelings and beauty home remedies. That’s not only fun, it makes pretty as well.
5. Feel spring on your skin: Go and try new spring fragrances in stores. You will feel a hint of spring on your skin and winter seems gone, at least for a while.
6. Girls only- Play Breakfast at Tiffany: Go window shopping with a friend. Even though you can’t afford it and you don’t plan to marry soon, try this awesome, incredibly expensive wedding dress. Feel like a princess and give the sales person the runaround. Don’t forget to make some pictures for “your mom.”
7. Mini Vacation: Of course not everyone can pack their bags and fly towards warmer temperatures but you can do a day trip to “Spa Castle” and enjoy the sauna and a heated outdoor pool. Or you can visit the aquarium where tropical fishes are at home and you can pretend to do snorkeling in Hawaii.Indoor beach volleyball also gets you in a mini vacation mind set.
8. Go for a brisk walk: Even though the sun might not shine, go outside to catch some light. The light intensity will still be 2000 Lux compared to indoors where you can get maximal 600 Lux - and light definitely helps against the winter blues! Your body will produce the “happy hormones” endorphin, serotonin, and dopamine. That makes us happier for sure!
9. Spring cleaning: Very effective! Get rid of all winter dirt and dust in your apartment. Clean windows, tidy drawers, and empty a desk will certainly motivate your body trapped by the winter blues. Also get some spring flowers at the local flower shop and decorate your space. Lifts up the mood for sure!
10. Open season for BBQ: BBQ is a summer thing? No, go out and get an indoor electric grill and call it open BBQ season again. Send post card invitations with vacation pictures to your friends and invite them to your “First BBQ of the year party.” The more people the merrier.
Last but not least I figured out a trick to avoid inexpressible fatigue especially Monday mornings: Wake up the same time on the weekend as you do during the weekdays. This routine helps the body keep its biological rhythm.Give these tips a go and you’ll be on your way to saying bye-bye winter blues!
International Student Liaison
Berkeley College - NYC Midtown Campus