What is it like in January where you live?
For most of my life, I’ve resided in locations where the first few months of the year are rather bleak. The temperatures are cold. The streets become slushy. And the sky is draped with a curtain of gray. Although typical for January weather, it makes “wintertime blues” a common ailment for many.
If this condition sounds familiar to how your mood dips through the colder months, here are a few suggestions to help brighten your spirit.
- GET SOCIAL
Nothing helps the dark days of life like spending them with a good friend. God places people along our path for a reason—to connect our hearts with theirs through mutual interests and compassion for one another. By sharing burdens (and fun times) with others, the weightiness of our concerns is lifted.
- GET FIT
I know, the dreaded idea of exercise makes many of us cringe. However, this does not have to be a high-powered workout in the gym. A simple walk around the neighborhood is often enough to fight off feelings of dismay. Although it’s typically cold outside in January, the outdoors is still freeing to our mindset and also provides the added benefits of vitamin D and fresh air in which to breathe. Also, there is a ton of evidence about the reasons why exercise is one of the best ways to beat down the blues.
- GET BUSY
Having something totally different to focus on from your usual work is a great diversion! You can go elaborate or simple with hobbies—whatever accommodates your time, energy, and finances to keep it up. I love baking, so that’s an easy activity to fall back on when I’m bored or feeling down. Also, sharing items from our hobbies with friends and loved ones brings a lift in our spirits as well. This act of goodwill toward others is pleasing to the Lord, too, since we read in Scripture that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Bring on the deep thaw
Rather than remaining frozen in what you can’t do during this month of cold and gray, consider ways to still enjoy life. I’ve found that being intentional about doing some things that I may not be especially great at (or excited about) often turns out to be really good for me!
This holds true throughout the year—not only during the dreary days of January. Surrounding yourself with good friends, a healthy lifestyle, and busyness (vs. boredom) will do wonders for bringing sunshine back to your otherwise dreary days.