Friday Five: Cabin Fever

Today's Friday Five from Singing Owl is all about the long dreary days of winter. She writes:

Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?

1. Cook wonderful food. There is nothing like a hot, home-cooked meal to make a person feel cozy and comfortable, no matter how hard the elements are raging outside. Bonus points if the wonderful food comes with wonderful wine. And double bonus points if it comes with wonderful company.

2. Take advantage of weather relief: Here in Prairie City, where the current temperature is -25C and a forecast calling for a wind chill tonight of -38C, you have to take advantage of any respites from the cold that might appear. Last week, we were fortunate to have a string of days when the temp was above freezing, so WH and I took advantage by getting outside, doing some yard work, taking walks, and enjoying the sunshine.

3. Take care of yourself: I think that one of the things that can make the long days of winter more difficult to bear is when a person stops putting the effort into making themselves feel good. So even if it's cold and layers are needed, make sure those layers are in flattering cuts and colors, do your makeup, brush your hair, get exercise, stay mobile and of course, no matter how big and clunky and practical your winter boots are, have your fun shoes in your bag for indoors!

4. Play board games: This Christmas, WH and I discovered King's Cribbage, which is essentially a combination of Cribbage and Scrabble. The board is like a Scrabble board, but instead of making words, you make cribbage hands. We have spent many happy hours this winter playing this game and others!

5. Make summer plans: I always find that one of the things that keeps me going in the winter is to make plans for spring and summer, whether those plans are for travel, for home and garden, for outdoor activity. How lovely is it to think ahead in a productive way to the beautiful days to come?!

Have a great day everybody!