February in Ohio means we’re deep into the winter months, with the hope of spring on the horizon. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means we’ve got 6 more weeks of winter to go.
Whether it’s fewer hours of daylight, colder temperatures, or the snow and ice that can keep us trapped indoors, winter is notorious for making many of us feel more gloomy. You may experience the winter blues, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or something else. With at least a few more weeks of winter to go, we’re offering our top tips for beating cabin while we wait for spring to arrive.
Tips Beat Cabin Fever as Winter Ends
This time of year, one of the things that can contribute to cabin fever or winter blues is being less connected to friends and loved ones. You might have just spent the holidays surrounded by people, only for them to end and find yourself more isolated. With less sunlight and weather that can make it difficult to safely go out and about, it’s hard to stay connected and social during this last stretch of winter. Here are our tips for finding ways to socialize and connect with friends and loved ones – even when the weather’s got you down.
Call a friend
One of the simplest things you can do to improve your mood and connect with someone is calling a friend. It may seem obvious, but it’s often easily overlooked or forgotten. Think of friends or loved ones you haven’t talked to in a while and try giving them a call. Chances are, they’re also experiencing some winter blues and could benefit from catching up with you. You could even start making plans to get together in person when the weather is nice.
Write a letter
With the advent of technology, texting, emails, and social media have taken over as the main ways we communicate. In the process, mail is often forgotten. How often do you receive mail that isn’t junk or a bill? Receiving a letter from a friend or loved one can light up your day. By writing a letter, you can bring positivity to someone else’s day and feel the positivity yourself when they write you back. You can also consider having a pen pal to exchange letters with. Reach out to a school or community organization near you and see if they have someone who could benefit from having a pen pal.
Make something for someone in need
Nothing compares to the feeling of giving back and helping someone in need. Nonprofits are always looking for volunteers. While many volunteer opportunities require going to their location, many times there are things you can do from the comfort of home – especially in the winter months. Think about any skills you have, such as knitting or crocheting, cooking or baking, woodworking, etcetera. You can use those skills to make things for someone in need. It might be baking cookies for a neighbor, knitting hats for kids at a local school, making blankets for a homeless shelter, or something else. Reach out to a nonprofit in your area to find out what they need and see how you might be able to use your skills to help someone else while you beat cabin fever.
Connect with a Senior Center
Senior centers are a great local resource that often go underused. Many local senior centers offer events and activities that you can attend. They’re a great option for getting out of the house, doing something fun, meeting new people, and beating cabin fever. Many senior centers also offer some form of transportation. While it’s helpful for things like getting to and from doctors appointments, it can also be a great way to get out without worrying about driving in bad weather. Talk to the senior center in your area to find out what types of events they offer and what transportation options might be available to you.
Downsize and Declutter
If you can’t go outside, you might as well focus on the inside! Spring cleaning will be a breeze if you downsize and declutter over the winter! The best advice any realtor or downsizing professional will give you about downsizing is to start small, such as with a shelf in your linen closet. When the linen closet is done, move on to other rooms such as a bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen. Before you know it, winter will be over and your house will be decluttered. As you sort through things to declutter, decide if each item is something you want to keep, offer to a friend or loved one, sell, donate, or throw away. That will make it easier to set aside things with sentimental value. Then, when spring comes, you’ll be ready to donate items and maybe even have a garage sale.
Learn something new
We already talked about using your skills to help people in need, but it’s also the perfect time to try learning something new. It’s easy for life to get busy and to feel like there isn’t enough time to learn a new skill or try your hand at a new hobby. You could try new arts and crafts projects like quilting, sewing, knitting, or painting. You could also try writing a book or your personal memoir, or maybe even learn a new language. The possibilities for learning new skills and hobbies – without needing to spend time outdoors – are endless.
Get sunlight
One of the toughest things about winter can be not getting enough sunlight. Not only is it good for things like vitamin D, it’s also good for our mental and emotional wellbeing and sleep quality. With fewer hours of daylight in the winter months, it can be hard to get the sunlight you need. Thankfully, with a little extra effort, it is possible. Start by opening your blinds and curtains during the day to let as much natural light into your house as possible. When the temperatures aren’t too cold, even standing on your porch bundled up for a few minutes can do you good. If those options don’t work for you or you find you still need more sunlight, try looking into a lamp designed specifically to mimic the sun’s rays.
Enjoy entertainment
Entertainment comes in many forms, but the age of technology has made it easier than ever to enjoy. If you want to take in a concert or explore a museum, you can do so from the comfort of your couch. A quick search on the internet and you’ll find countless videos. You can watch your favorite musician perform live, go on a tour of an art museum, learn to cook something new, learn the history of an ancient city, and more. Not to mention all the shows and movies available to watch live or on demand on your TV any time of day!
Play games
Games are a great way to keep your brain stimulated, whether you’re playing solo or with friends. Thanks to technology, there are many options for games you can play solo. Plus, there are lots of games you can play online with friends. Many solo games, like sudoku, solitaire, crossword puzzles, and word searches not only help to pass the time, they’re good exercise to keep your brain active. Speaking of exercise, if you do any exercises indoors in the winter, see if you can make them into a game to make them more fun.
No Cabin Fever with Senior Living
One of the best ways to beat cabin fever and winter blues as an older adult is senior living. No matter what community you look at, a hallmark of senior living is the community atmosphere and lifestyle they have to offer.
For starters, it’s easier to beat loneliness in the winter when you are surrounded by friends and neighbors. You could live in a villa home or an apartment and know that there are people nearby with interests similar to yours.
Most senior living communities offer transportation, and frequently will pick you up at your door. This means you can easily get out and about all winter long with fewer worries about the cold temperatures or dangerous ice.
The activities and events offered in senior living communities don’t stop just because it’s cold or gloomy outside. The calendars are still full of things like game nights, happy hours, concerts, crafts, performances, and more.
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, our campuses offer the perfect opportunity to escape the winter blues and avoid cabin fever. We even offer virtual tours, so you can see our campuses and offerings from the comfort of your home before spring comes. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more or taking a virtual tour, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.