Whether you have a countdown on your phone or you excitedly check each day of winter off your calendar, we are all eager for spring break to be here. Some are looking forward to restful downtime with family and friends, while others are preparing to embark on a week-long adventure, but the anticipation is universal.
I frequently ask myself, “How will I make it through the seemingly endless freezing days?” But I know I can do it—here are some tips I rely on to help you get there too!
Romanticize the Cold
For me, the freezing temperatures are associated with wintertime blues, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of dwelling on the bitterness of a 25-degree day, romanticize it.
Think of all of the delightful opportunities that summertime could never offer. Go skating on the Frog Pond or drink that piping hot coffee you woke up craving. Pull out the puffer and appreciate the way the snow falls. I mean, it does allow you to take the perfect Gasson gram!
Remember, just because the sun sets early doesn’t mean your day is over early too. Go cozy up with your friends in the dorms! Bring out the blankets, turn on the fairy lights, make hot chocolate, and most importantly, watch your favorite winter movie to end the perfect cold day.
Create an Upbeat Playlist
When the time comes to hit pause on your favorite holiday tunes until next year, many people’s music tastes slip into the sadness of winter. Don’t let this be true for you! Rather, I encourage you to make a new playlist and spice it up.
Try not to focus on the dreary winter songs that we all fall captive to—pick some upbeat songs that add energy to your day instead. Not only will a new playlist give you something to look forward to on your walk to class, but it will also add liveliness to your everyday routine.
Don’t be afraid to add some energy to your playlist and start looking forward to venturing out of your bedroom!
Enjoy the Sunny Days
If you’re anything like me, you get in a funk when you haven’t seen the sun in over a week. For that reason, you can’t afford to let a rare sunny day go to waste.
Even if the temperature tells you otherwise, don’t let anything stop you from getting outside when those rays are shining. Take yourself for a walk around the Res or on a stroll to Newton Centre.
These moments of fresh Vitamin D will propel you and your immune system through these next few months of frigid weather.
Start a Gratitude Journal
I get it. Picking up a pen to write anything that you don’t have to isn’t easy. Trust me though, it’s worth it. Taking 10 minutes out of your day to write down what you’re grateful for really does make you appreciate all of the small things.
While winter isn’t my favorite time of year, reflecting on the positives has changed my outlook entirely. You can write about something good you ate, something you are looking forward to, a comment that made you smile, or even just the five minutes of extra sleep you got this morning—the pen is in your hands.
Just one rule: try to stay positive!
Go on a Monthly Excursion
I know that waiting for the Green Line may not be as appealing as laying in your warm bed on a bitterly cold day, but let’s change that. The time has officially come for you to get out of the BC Bubble, if just for a few hours.
The options are endless. Whether it be exploring a new coffee shop or bakery, going to the movie theater to catch the latest blockbuster hit, strolling through the shops on Newbury Street, or having a delicious meal away from the dining hall, I urge you to get off campus at least once a month.
Take your mind away from the stress of school and fully live in the moment. I promise you, it will be more refreshing than the “rot in bed” time you thought you needed!
While the cold may seem daunting and dreary, it’s totally possible to turn your mindset around. With these tips, you can undoubtedly hang in there long enough to make it to Spring Break!
