Summer has abandoned you and spring is long gone. Our chilly friend winter has arrived. Winter has a negative connotation of being the long depressing season. Everyone wants to hibernate, cuddle, and sleep away the cold days. Unfortunately, we aren’t bears and we don’t always have the time to do these things, so here are some ways to beat the winter blues and enjoy the winter season.
1.  Get your workout on.
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(image courtesy of thehealthinista.com)
As soon as you saw workout you wanted to run away and never look back right? Well, keep an open mind. Working out has many benefits that can help you tolerate winter. Working out keeps you looking your best physically and like the saying goes, when you look your best, you feel your best. Physical fitness not only impacts your body, but also your mind. During physical exercise, endorphins (hormones that make you feel good) are released. This causes you to feel pleasure. which can result in a more positive mental state. So, if you already workout, don’t stop because of winter. If you don’t usually workout, now is the time to hop on that treadmill or drag out that yoga mat and get to it. You’ll be happy you did.
2.   What do you enjoy?
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(image courtesy of teleread.org)
Do you enjoy a good movie, ice skating, painting, running, or reading a book? Whatever it is you enjoy, do it. Do it, do it, do it! The more you enjoy yourself the less you’ll think of the issues that come with winter. Cold weather shouldn’t stop you from having fun.
3.  Dress it up!
(image courtesy of @theChicNatural)
Don’t throw on that baggy sweater or sweats! No, no, no! Dress it up. Put up the same effort you put in any other season. We all love the lazy winter outfits, but why not switch it up and dress for success. A nice outfit can change how you feel that day and keep you feeling amazing. There are many awesome winter fashion trends to try out. It won’t hurt to throw a blazer or a cute scarf on. Take the extra 15 mins the night before to plan an awesome outfit and boost your confidence at the same time.
4.  More veggies!
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(image courtesy of memegenerator.net)
Ok, not just more veggies, but eat healthier overall. Don’t force yourself to be vegan if that’s not you, but it won’t hurt to incorporate more veggies and fruits into your diet. Put down those cookies and that slice of pizza! The cleaner you eat the less sluggish you feel. Better eating can be the small push you need to actually get out of the warmth of your bed and start your day.
5.   No stress, no mess.
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(image courtesy of riseearth.com)
Depression during the winter is actually a thing. Definitely a thing that you don’t want to experience. Eliminating stress is a great way to keep yourself in a positive mind state. Use winter as a cleansing time to get rid of bad energy and negative people in your life. Find your inner peace and keep it.
6.   Beauty DIYs to the rescue!
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(image courtesy of hudabeauty.com)
Dry hair, cracked skin, and chapped lips are some of the things we all hate about winter. Fortunately, there are remedies for these issues. DIYs can be a life saver during the winter and they are fun to try. There are lip scrubs, body oils, and homemade hair conditioner recipes all over the internet and especially on YouTube. If you’re going to stay in and avoid the cold, why not try a DIY to occupy your time.
7.   Upkeep, plain and simple.
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(image courtesy of webmd.com)
It’s very easy to “let yourself go” during winter. Everyone thinks the same thing, “I’m wearing long sleeves and long pants so I don’t have to shave.” Or even, “Well, I’m wearing boots so I don’t need to polish my toes.” Once again, when you look good you feel good. So what others won’t see your smooth legs or pretty polished toes? You will and that’s all that matters. These things may seem insignificant, but they can really make the difference in you feeling amazing during winter.