As the shortest day of the year approaches, winter weather encroaches. It's time to dust off the Swanndri, we have a heavy rain warning tonight.
Metservice issued a warning earlier today, suggesting that we clear our drains and gutters for the incoming wetness over the south of Aotearoa.
As climbed up the step ladder armed with my 'special gutter stick' I began thinking about how miserable winter can sometimes be. Studies show that around 10-20% of the population experience some kind of 'winter blues,' however, I feel that it effects nearly everybody. Just go to any retailer on a cold day and you're sure to hear a story or two.
Anyway, while scooping the leaves and dirt from my roof, I continued pondering and remembered that last year, I came up with a few strategies for coping with the never-ending grey that is the New Zealand winter.
Here are my top 5 ideas for battling the winter blues
Idea 1 - Make a Hot Meal For Your Home
Not only will it make your household happy, you'll be in the warm kitchen preparing it. This idea actually came from my flatmate, last week they made a warm stew, served with bread for everyone to share. Not only did it make us feel better connected, but it helps uplift our spirits when we have a belly full of warm food.
This could be a great time to bust out the croc-pot and have a go a one of nan's old recipes. If you live alone, see it as an opportunity to go visit somebody!
Idea 2 - Host A Games Night
Where it be with flatmates, friends or family, this is a great way to have a bit of fun without facing the wild outdoors. I was lucky enough to have a couple friends over on Sunday, we played Pictionary, Hangman, and Cards Against Humanity in front of the fire.
Is there any games you've been wanting to play for a while? What about a jig-saw puzzle?
Idea 3 - Have A "You" Night
Sometimes, the winter blues can make us a bit anti-social, and I certainly fall under this category occasionally. It's important to be kind to ourselves, instead of stressing about things that are out of our control, like the weather, it's good to focus on what we can.
For me, a "you" night looks like a warm shower, followed by putting on my girlfriends dressing gown, ordering some takeaways, and watching serial killer documentaries.
Idea 4 - Check Out Your Local Indoor Activities
More than restaurants and cafe's (those are good too) there are often many options not explored in your local area. Lately, I have found myself going to the theatre. I went and saw "Mad Max: Furiosa" a couple of weeks ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
If more 'active' activities are your thing, see about a climbing gym, bowling alley, or arcade near you!
Idea 5 - Not Letting The Cold Stop You!
If you're feeling brave, it can be a liberating experience to explore the outdoors just as you would normally in summer. Last year, I went to the beach more in winter than in I did in summer! I also explored various walking tracks and short hikes in Otago.
Just have a look at the weather forecast as you are planning things, and go for gold! Winter in New Zealand can be a genuinely beautiful thing, and it would be a shame to let some coldness ruin our experience.
Finding a way to be alright with not doing things, can be very important.
Slowing down can be a challenge, and during winter I find that I beat myself up internally for not practicing enough fitness, or going walking as much.
Not only does the wet weather take away from our outdoor activities, it can also be a drag getting ourselves to the gym in sub-zero weather.
Sometimes, what we need to do is schedule a rest period. For me, I have made the decision to take a month long break from resistance training instead of continuing to stress myself out, about each missed gym session.
In making the commitment to take this break, I have found myself working out at home more frequently, resulting in higher amounts of training. Funny how the mind works, isn't it?
If you're a bit of a handyman or fixer of things, try to put the outdoor projects on hold for a bit, and focus more on indoor projects. For me, instead of fixing and servicing all the cars, I've been putting up shelves, organising my wardrobe - and even some artwork and painting!
In Conclusion
If you're facing the winter blues just remember - the skies will clear eventually, there is beauty to be found in coldness, and rain on a tin roof can be very therapeutic. This is your reminder to enjoy living, even though the skies might be grey for now.
So go outside, let the rain drops fall on your tongue, jump in that puddle, play with that iced-over water, and most of all, don't be so hard on yourself.
That's me for now, I'll see you in the next one.
~J.
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