When I searched for a joke or poem to use in the intro of this blog post, I got tears in my eyes as I read about this state's culture, beauty, and uniqueness. This is my fifth winter in Michigan, it was quite an adjustment initially, but I grew fond of this state with its contrasting seasons and beautiful people. I learned that I couldn’t put my life “on hold” during the winter, but I have to embrace the cold and the beauty nature freely offers. Here are some tips that have helped me to embrace Michigan winters.

Get some fresh air

With an average temperature below 30F, it takes both courage and discipline to go outside. It is worth bundling up since a brisk walk out can boost your creativity, energy levels, mood, and immune system and help with blood circulation. Next time, when you struggle to find a solution or feel frustrated at work, why not go outside for a brisk walk, you might find new ideas like a breath of fresh air.

Get moving

According to the CDC, physical activity can boost brain health, improve mood and help with anxiety management. It also reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes 2. Working out also helps with weight management and strengthens your bones and muscles. People who are active for at least 150 minutes a week have a 33% lower risk for all-cause mortality than those who are inactive.

It is important to keep moving, even though the temperatures drop below 40F. Adjust your workout routine according to the seasons. For instance, if you like to jog outside in the summer, switch to an indoor high-intensity workout, like aerobics, during the winter.

Stick to a sleep schedule

According to the National Institute of Health, it is best to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day; and adults should sleep about 7-8 hours. Sticking to a bed routine will soon pay off in the improvement of your mood and energy levels. Sleep schedules are easily affected by longer nights and shorter days in the winter. It is tempting to hibernate and sleep more or burn the midnight oil while watching Netflix on long winter nights. However, quality sleep is essential to our health, just like food and water, and you’ll soon see a difference in your mood if you stick to a sleep routine.

Eat warm and wholesome food

Bring new flair and favor to gloomy winter days by eating warm, nutritious meals. Soups, casserole, stews, and warm salad bowls are typical winter meals, and healthy recipes are freely available on the internet. Warm drinks like hot cocoa and gluhwein are fun drinks to celebrate winter.

Appreciate the uniqueness of winter

Embracing winter activities will help you to enjoy the season for what it is. Remind yourself that it is a season, and seasons are not permanent, like most things in life. Live in the moment and enjoy the unique winter activities beauty winter offers. I asked a few kids what their favorite winter activities are:

• Snowball fights

• Making snow angels with my mom

• Snowdays

• Pizza and movie night

• Pretending to be Elsa and Anna

Cheers to winter!

Information on this website is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a mental health therapist or other healthcare professional. No information offered here should be interpreted as a diagnosis of any disorder, nor an attempt to treat or prevent or cure any disease or condition. Names, characters, places, and incidents on this website are for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.