I’m not a winter person. Definitely not a fan of cold winds, frost and slush. If you’re like me, you’re here because you want to know how to enjoy winter with activities that make it bearable.

I certainly don’t want to spend several months feeling miserable. So, I’ve come up with some great ways to change your mindset and boost your mood.

From simple activities to those that help you get lost in something more complex that will help you not think about the winter weather.

I hope these help you cope with the misery of a cold winter – like the ones we have here in parts of Canada. Dig into these ways to enjoy winter and see if some of them spark some joy in your life.

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How To Enjoy Winter: 10 Fun And Cozy Ways

I want to bring joy to your life this winter. This list is by no means definite, but it’s a good start.

I’ll probably add to it over time, so bookmark it in Pinterest or your browser and come back for more ideas.

Boost your mindset and keep positive. Have fun this winter and find things to do that you love and that have meaning.

1. Focus On A Hobby You Love

It’s a selfish thing to do: a hobby that you truly enjoy doing. This is especially true if the hobby is one that has you doing things solo.

Bonus points if the hobby keeps you inside, cozy and warm.

Excellent indoor hobbies for winter:

Knitting, crochet, needlepoint
Creating macrame wall art
Artwork such as painting, drawing, watercolors
Crafting
DIY decor

2. Get In Touch With Your Spiritual Side

The Holiday season is smack dab at the start of the Winter season. Whether you are a Christian, Jew or practice another faith, it’s the perfect time to focus on your spirituality.

The hustle and bustle of the Holiday shopping season can really make you hate December. So instead, balance it with some faith, prayer or time in a place of worship.

TIP: You may find it’s a great idea to start reading books on faith. Some like to write in a journal about their spiritual journey.

3. Delve Into The Hygge Lifestyle

This is one of my favourite ways to enjoy winter.

It’s cozy warm living, with the people you love to be around.

It could be your home, in your living room with your family. Think Sunday afternoons with a warm cup of coffee or tea, a book and a blanket and you relaxing in your comfy spot.

It’s about slowing down and enjoying things, despite the cold chill of the outdoors.

Heck, I even have a “hygge” outfit: cozy, thick socks, my comfy warm sweat pants and a big fuzzy sweater. All perfect for an hour or two of just being in a happy spot, doing something I enjoy: reading.

4. Do A Movie Marathon Over A Series Of Weekends

It ties into the hygge lifestyle, but instead of a book, do a movie series marathon or TV series.

Spread it across several weekends during the worst part of winter. You know those days – when the temperature is low and the snowstorms come one after another.

A few favourite movie series:

Indiana Jones
Lord of the Rings + The Hobbit
Back To The Future
Fast and Furious
Any of the Marvel films

5. Embrace The Beauty Of Snowstorms

It sounds counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to enjoy winter is to embrace nature.

Snowstorms keep you from doing things you enjoy outside of your home. However, they can also be beautiful.

Consider doing this: take a walk in a snowstorm (one that’s not a blizzard) in your neighbourhood. The best time is at night when you see the glow of the sky from the snow.

It’s also quiet and if there’s no wind, you can actually hear the snow falling. Pretty cool stuff!

If the outdoor walk isn’t your thing, consider opening up the blinds and taking in the view of everything covered white in snow.

Something we love doing at night is keeping the blinds open so the glow of the sky filters in. It creates a cool glow.

Woman in a winter coat, sipping something out of a cup in a winter setting.

Embrace the chill… enjoy the snow

6. Go For A Walk – Inside Or Outside

You may be wondering why this is on the list of ways to enjoy winter, considering that I’m suggesting you go outdoors into the cold.

However, did you consider all of the health benefits of walking, period?

Mental wellbeing
Overall physical wellbeing
Keeping the weight off
Getting fresh air
Keeping up your stamina

If the outdoors is a big no, then consider doing what many older people do: walk in a mall before the stores open.

You want to feel great when Spring comes, right?

You don’t want excess winter weight, right?

So get moving. It will make you feel like you’re doing something positive.

7. Enjoy Comfort Food & Drinks – In Moderation

Speaking of excess weight… Something we like to do during yucky winter days is to cook up something delicious in the kitchen.

We do it in moderation of course!

It’s OK to enjoy “comfort foods”: carb-heavy, warm and filling.

A big bowl of soup with a toasted crostini bread makes your belly and you feel better. Enjoy it.

8. Declutter And Organize Your Home

Get a head start on Spring cleaning. I know it sounds odd, but when you have a decluttered, clean home, don’t you feel better?

Lighter?

Content?

Do this AFTER Christmas and you’ll feel even better. A fresh, decluttered and organized start to the New Year.

It makes for a realistic New Year’s Resolution that you can actually accomplish.

9. Random Acts Of Kindness

Let’s face it – people get miserable and grouchy in the winter. If they have to move around and do things, they face slush, dirty and wet roads and sidewalks, and cloudy days.

It can get anybody down. This next tip on my list of how to enjoy winter is to make others happy.

How? Small acts of kindness. They work like a charm and can change a person’s mood.

Consider some of these things you can do:

Pay it forward at the coffee shop: cover the cost for five people behind you.
Make a homeless person’s day better by covering their lunch or coffee at a coffee shop (work it out with the manager/staff).
Put together a mini gift bag of comfy treats and things for the elderly neighbour that’s stuck at home. Better yet, visit with them for a bit – bring over a treat and a warm beverage.
Volunteer at a shelter or food bank. They need all the help they can get.
Donate in January. That’s when organizations are hurting the most. Select the ones that help people during the winter period.
Surprise your neighbour: shovel their driveway before they come home from work. It’s a great way to build goodwill.

10. Plan Ahead For Spring

I LOVE SPRING! So much so that I start planning things to do in March when January isn’t even over yet.

From planting seedlings in February to creating a list of things that I want to fix around the home, planning makes me happy.

I usually do it with a good cup of coffee (check out Zavida coffee if you’re in Canada – yummy stuff) and with a cute notebook.

Looking forward to something makes your winter months better.

Many More Ways To Enjoy Winter

I know there are many more ways to enjoy winter. It all depends on what YOU like to do.

Love video games? Go for it.

Love to travel? Feel free to escape to a warmer climate, if it’s within your budget.

My key tip is to do things you love and enjoy doing that you know will boost your mood and work with your lifestyle.

If you find yourself dealing with the February blues, I hope this list gives you some inspiration to have a happier winter season.

After all, we have Spring and Summer to look forward to in a few months.

Bonus tip: if you’ve considered starting a business, the winter is the perfect time to get excited about one. Start here with this free start an online business workbook:

QUESTION: What’s your favourite thing to do in the winter that makes you happier?

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How To Enjoy Winter: 10 Activities For A Bearable Winter