Do you ever find yourself in a bit of a funk during the months of January and February? I never seem to mind the cold and snow in December, but now I’m ready for warm weather to return. It doesn’t take long for me to find my mood plummeting right along with the temperature.
Thankfully, I’ve learned that a cranky attitude doesn’t help anyone, especially me! So, I’ve developed a list of five things I use to help myself overcome the wintertime blues.
1. Movie Night – Having something to anticipate with enthusiasm always helps my mood. Watching a movie at home with a fire in the fireplace, cuddled up under a cozy throw, munching a little buttered popcorn. I feel better just thinking about it.
2. Girlfriend Getaways – I can’t wait for our church’s Girlfriends Getaway on January 28th and 29th. Spending an overnight with the girls, gabbing and growing in our faith is always a mood booster.
3. Soup in the Crock Pot – I jokingly (kind of) say, “We wouldn’t eat if we didn’t own a crock pot!” I love the way the house smells as soup simmers. It makes our home feel warmer and cozier!
4. Turn up the Music – Listening to great Christian music has changed my mood more often than I can tell you. Whether I am listening to my ipod or the radio the Lord just seems to know the songs that will speak to my heart. I have even joined in with song and dance . . . however, I’ve done so privately to avoid embarrassment!
5. Pick up the Telephone – Checking in on a friend keeps me from thinking about myself. I’ve learned the more I focus on myself the more unhappy I become. I think God has wired us that way. He wants us to focus on Him and on others. My mood is always better when I am doing things His way.
So how about you? What do you do to avoid the wintertime blues? Sharing the things that keep us joy-filled might just help us avoid the blues as well!
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him—His name is the LORD. Psalm 68:3-4
You have shared some great suggestions…ones that are definitely mood lifters for me. :)And it’s also great to be reminded that we need to be careful not to let the wintertime funk take over! Just doing something simple and fun or focusing on someone else can make such a difference.
Sunday mornings at church always help me so much, too. I love the opportunity to worship with others and to have my heart challenged by the Word. So helps refocus and refresh me. It may be hard to get out of my warm bed Sunday mornings, but it’s so worth it. 🙂
Blessings, sweet Deb!
Even though it doesn’t ever get very cold (nor snow) where I live, these are wonderful suggestions. I love movie nights, snuggles, warm soup. I would just add COFFEE!! Blessings!
Thanks for this post. I just figured out that I am in the middle of the winter blues. It’s all this snow.
I love this blog!