Beat Winter Hibernation this year.
Winter has come and it can be hard to go outside, even if you’re going outside to just go back inside. You need things to do to keep you from getting weak in the winter because it's just so easy to stay inside and do absolutely nothing. So here are some things to do when it's cold outside (and you really don't wanna be a bear come spring).
Ice Skating
A lot of places get ice, but there's also something just as magical about ice skating indoors. There's always a nice place to change your shoes, warm up, grab something to eat and not have to worry about the weather suddenly changing. There's also the positive that you don't have to worry about falling through the ice. Ice skating is a great exercise that's aerobic and anaerobic. Did I mention it's climate controlled inside?
Yoga
I’m not talking about Bikram yoga here. It’s winter, and no one needs to be exposed to temperatures that make the summer highs seem mild. But as it gets colder, our skin dries and our muscles tighten, so adding some mild exercise with great stretching is just what the doctor ordered. The winter is the perfect time to try yoga too. No one is going to judge you for wearing sweats and a sweatshirt to yoga, especially in the winter. And in a time of onesies, why not prep your summer body a little early?
Paint or Plant with a Beer
Did you know you could actually go and paint or garden while also drinking? Did you know you can also do these things at your favorite bar or restaurant? Each of these activities combines a great outlet for artistic expression, while also giving you an alcohol blanket for when you decide to wander home. You could also host your own, buy some fun arts and crafts, and have your friends come over. If you want to go out and do it, you should check out Paint Nite, Plant Nite, or Drinkable Arts (you make your own glass!). It’s a great time to add some bright cheery colors to your life in a dreary winter environment.
Martial Arts
If you're looking for more things to do to keep strong and fit, martial arts are a body pushing exercise that will get you pumped up. But it's not just about the kicks and the punches. Being cooped up while losing the ability to go outside can sap our inner-strength and our desire to push ourselves. Instead of mentally hibernating, martial arts can help discipline your mind and steel your soul from the weather. By sharpening the mind as well as the body, martial arts will get you through the winter. Plus, you’ll feel unstoppable under your down jacket.
Indoor Skydiving
If you are a regular adrenaline junkie with a penchant for jumping out of a plane, indoor skydiving is something to keep in mind. Sure, you're not falling from 14,000 ft or higher, but it is a great way to simulate the feeling without turning into an icicle with a parachute. With the weather always wonky in Winter, this can be your release. If you've never been skydiving, indoor skydiving is a great way to feel the rush of wind across your face without having to jump out of a perfectly good plane. Even staring at the ground from 3ft above it with nothing but massive gusts of wind to keep you aloft will get anyone's blood pumping.
Cleaning Out Your Closet
Cleaning out your closet is an activity associated with the spring, but maybe it should be done in the middle of winter. We're holed up in our homes, and using that time to sort through everything we don't need or want can be a great way to keep you just from sitting around watching Netflix. Plus, all those old clothes and items that you want to throw away can be donated, adding some extra holiday cheer and warmth to someone in need. Consider a Winter Closet Cleanse instead of a Spring Cleaning.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Don’t fancy putting your fingers on frozen rocks? Indoor rock-climbing is the perfect place for your to keep your skills tight and work on that technique. When you’re on the side of a 5.11, it can be hard to really want to practice that jump and catch 150ft off the ground. On a boulder or a small wall in a rock-climbing gym, you can practice that technique over, and over, and over again. It’s like the fade-away jump shot. You only get super good at it if you practice it regularly.
Do Something Old School
Whether with friends or on a date, sometimes going back to the cliché can be fun. Go to a bowling alley, shoot some pool in your local bar, or test your score in a classic arcade. Harken back to the times of rosey cheeks, small hands, and the ruthless competitive streak of youth. No matter your age, bumper bars are always acceptable in a bowling alley, and no one will know it’s you when the cue ball goes flying onto an adjacent table. While tilting the pinball machine or grabbing life by the cherries on Pacman, you’ll forget not only your age, but the declining outside temperatures as well. After all, you’re too busy having some clean, good ol’ fashioned fun.
If you have any more ideas for beating hibernation, leave us a comment. Now run along!
