How to Get Rid of Home Fever When You’re Stuck Inside This Winter
Here, on the East Coast, winter has finally come: this morning the temperature was 22 degrees, the wind was cold to 9. It’s cold! For some people, the first frost of winter is doubly depressing – we are approaching the shortest day of the year, which means that we do not get enough sunlight, and it is also too cold to go outside and exercise a little. Fresh air.
But don’t despair! Winter can of course be a hibernation time, but if you’re smart and plan ahead, you don’t have to start climbing walls. This AskMetafilter question was posted by a user with mobility issues who hates being forced to limit temperatures below freezing, and commenters have shared many helpful tips on how to get through the winter while staying in a good mood. Below are the indoor entertainment features I liked the most, but definitely check out the entire thread for even more ideas.
1. Deal with your home
In my family, preparing for Christmas gives me some mild anxiety. I know that a stream of new gifts for my children is coming, and it seems that the water level in our cramped apartment is rising. So take a few evenings or weekends and put away your closets, shelves, and that pile of things at the door (everyone has one). Or renovate a room, or sew new pillowcases, or make a bookcase. I know that nothing makes me feel better than painting a room and delivering a bunch of things to Goodwill. Tidying up your living space creates a sense of satisfaction; it also just … brightens up your living space. Which is nice when you’re trapped.
2. Get active for the cause.
Are you worried about the current political environment? Do you want to use your time to help other people? You’re not alone. And even if you can’t go door to door and attend meetings, you can still work a lot online or on the phone. VolunteerMatch helps you find volunteer opportunities in your areas of interest, and you can filter results by “virtual opportunity”. (Note – it doesn’t filter perfectly, so you should read it carefully. But there is still a lot of chances to help with web design or admin support for organizations just starting out.) If you already have a favorite nonprofit or political organization for the candidate, contact him directly and ask how you can help from home.
3. Get a complete understanding of the subject.
This winter I want to learn how to play a specific violin in all 12 keys. Will I be able to complete it? I doubt. But by April I can get through four keys, which is still better than the zero keys I know now. I’m also planning a personal Civil War mini-class with a Ken Burns documentary and some thick books already on my nightstand. By the spring, I will mostly have my PhD.
4. Host
Make people trudge towards you in the snow. Place a pot of stew, bake some bread, and pour in the whiskey. How do you think people stay outgoing in cold climates?
5. Find a pen pal.
I have never heard of postcrossing , but it seems to be a way of short correspondence via postcards with people from all over the world. There are also sites out there that will match you with more traditional pen pals (check out this post for safety tips before you start).
6. Sign up for an online course
Want to hone your art history, your calculation, your knife technique? Search Google for virtual instructions on a subject that interests you. I would probably try a novel writing class that would have me turn a certain number of pages each week, but obviously there is a huge selection of subjects to choose from.
7. Proofreading
Project Gutenberg needs proofreaders for scanned books. You can read and help distribute great literary works at the same time!
And, of course, there are old cold weather reserves like cooking, crafting and playing music, and new cold weather reserves like video games and social media. Do you have a new way to get through the tough winter without losing your mind? Let us know in the comments!