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Rochester Local

One Simple Way to Fight the Winter Blues

snowpants, snowOkay, friends, the holidays are long over and a new year is well underway. And I don’t know about you, but we are in full-blown cabin fever mode. By now you’ve probably had the flu, the kids have had their 8th cold, and the stomach bug infested your family last week. Thankfully, the days are starting to get a bit longer. However, being in the good old state of MinneSNOWta we know better. We know that come Easter, we might all still be more comfortable in velvet and fleece. As depressing as these long and often times harsh winters can be, summer WILL come eventually… But, without the distraction of holiday events, the winter blues can muster a second wind just as icy as the coming blizzard.

Rather than give you tons of ideas for beating the winter blues (because let’s face it, I don’t know how to beat the winter blues any better than you do), I’m going to just share ONE simple thing that has made a difference to me this year. One item, in particular, that I purchased last year on clearance. Ready to hear what it was?

Snow pants.

Maybe you already have snow pants. I am honestly not sure why it took me this long to get some. The previous winter I wore leggings under my jeans to take my kids sledding and even when trying to sled wearing 2 layers I still got a wet behind and chilled to the bone afterward. It isn’t enjoyable.

Why have snow pants made all the difference this year? Because I actually can embrace the outdoors with my kids. I can build a snowman, take them sledding, and ride down the hill with them. The only part of me that knows it’s cold outside is my nose!

Now, it goes without saying that if you have a pair of snow pants it is also helpful to have a good winter coat, a hat, scarf, gloves, and boots. If you’re missing any of these items your outdoor experience will be less than subpar.

I apologize if it feels like I am speaking to you like a child. That’s not my intent at all. Of course, you know how to dress for winter because I know you get all these items for your children. Sometimes you have to get two sets of snow gear if they require something at school or daycare!

But I know that, for me, taking the time and care to get myself properly fitted for the outdoors during winter empowers me to fight those nasty winter blues. It enables me to stare winter in the face and say, “I am ready for you”. Take that winter. I will enjoy you even when all I dream of is summer.

Getting outside, even when it is cold and gray, is good for us. It is good for our brains, our souls, our whole being to simply be outside. Even for a short period of time. Instead of dashing out to get the mail quick, put your boots and coat on and take a minute to just stand there. Walk around your house and listen to the quiet of winter. Breathe.

My snow pants have become very dear to me. I have had so much fun and made so many memories with my kids in my snow pants. I know it can be quite a work out for the parents taking smaller children sledding… but that is good for us too! I recently took my bunch for a nature walk at Carley State Park. It was so beautiful. It might have been a bit much for my little guy but it was very good for me and a fun experience to have together.

You know my favorite part about nature walks in the winter? NO BUGS. I am fully protected, and they are fully hibernating. No tick bites on me. Amen?

If you don’t have a pair of snow pants yet now is the time to get some. They are all on sale. If you can’t find any, layer up what you have and be bold like the winter and just go outside. Take your kids outside with you too and go outside by yourself from time to time. Look up at the sky, watch the clouds, look for wildlife, take in the serenity, go for a walk, build a snowman, find a good sledding hill, search for icicles, build an igloo. Pretty soon, it will all melt away and so will the winter blues.

Originally posted January 2019

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