7 Things to Cheer You up on Gray Winter Days ...

1. Cozy Jammies

While I’m not a winter fan there’re a few things about the season that I do enjoy. Cozy jammies are one of them. After coming in out of the cold there are few things that feel better than putting on your favorite pair of cozy jammies. Grab a good book or get into watching a good movie and you’ll feel better in no time. This’s one way to cheer yourself up from the winter blues.

2. A Trip to Starbucks

A trip to Starbucks makes any day better, including gray winter days. While Starbucks is good any time of year, it seems more special in the winter. There’s just nothing like enjoying a yummy drink while letting your hands absorb the warmth from the cup. My current favorite Starbucks choices are white hot chocolate and hot chocolate with a shot of raspberry. If you’re looking for something different to try, I recommend both of those.

3. Bake Some Cookies

How can you be sad with the smell of fresh baked cookies in the house? While these aren’t good for your weight loss goals, I guarantee they’re good for your mood. It’s hard to be sad when you’ve got your favorite cookie and a tall glass of milk nearby. If you want to be sure you don’t eat too many, only bake a couple at a time. This’s a perfect treat for a winter evening.

4. Get out of the House

Sometimes you feel down because you’ve been home too much. That tends to happen more in the winter when the weather can trap you in. If the roads aren’t dangerous, bundle up and get out for a while. Go shopping or see a movie. Even getting out to do some errands can cheer you up.

5. Call a Friend

When you’re feeling down in the dumps, little can cheer you up like talking to one of your friends. Call up a friend and chat about what’s been going on in your life. More than likely you’ll share some laughs along with all the latest gossip. It’s heartwarming to catch up with a friend. Not only will you feel better after the call; your friend probably will, too.

6. Exercise

This one probably isn’t the funnest choice but it will make you feel better, not only physically but mentally, too. Exercise releases endorphins in your brain, which are chemicals that make you feel happier. Not only that but you’ll reap health benefits, too. If you’re really not in the mood to exercise, tell yourself you can quit after 10 minutes. More than likely you’ll be pumped for a workout by then.

7. Plan Your Vacation

Dreaming of soaking up the sun while you feel the sand between your toes may be just what you need to cheer up. You’ve got all this extra time when you’re stuck indoors, right? Make good use of it by planning your next vacation. I love planning for vacations. I think that’s half the fun and I’m sure some of you feel the same way.

These are 7 ideas to cheer you up on gray winter days. What do you do to get rid of the winter blues? I’d love to hear your ideas.