It’s that time of year. Recent wind chills have shown below zero temperatures and the Erie area has been slammed with feet of snow- and it’s only the beginning. However, that doesn’t mean that the list of things to do shrinks. In fact, being creative can go a long way. Next time you find yourself wondering what to do on a cold day, give some of these a try:

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1)    Indoor ice skating: if you have an ice rink near you, grab a couple friends and hit the ice! It’s a good work out and really fun if you have the basic skills to stay upward and not fall.

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2)    Watch movies/TV: catch up on that TV series you’ve been watching or binge watch movies. Invite some friends over, make some popcorn, hot cocoa, cookies etc.

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3)    Bake cookies: if you have the proper ingredients, why not bake a bunch of cookies! It’ll leave your house smelling good and you’ll have a bunch of tasty treats to share or keep for yourself.

 

4)    Try out new recipes: try making new dishes with ingredients you have laying around the house. If you don’t really have anything and it’s safe to drive, look up some recipes online and go shop for the ingredients. You can even meal prep for the week ahead.

 

5)    Play board/card/drinking games: have friends over and play some games! Some board games can last for hours and if you’re 21, drinking games can be really fun.

 

6)    Read a book: are there any untouched books laying around that you’ve been meaning to read? A cold winter day is the perfect time to curl up by the fire or on the couch and read a new book.  

 

7)    Listen to new music: make a playlist, find new albums or explore different genres you haven’t listened to yet. Music videos are also a great way to pass time.

 

8)    Catch up on cleaning around your house/apartment: this may not sound like fun but you’ll feel better once you do it. It’s better to clean your pad when it’s too cold to go out than when it’s warm and the last thing you want to do is stay inside.

 

9)    Work out: hit the gym nearby or workout at home. Workout at home while watching work out videos or blasting your music. You don’t need weights or a treadmill to break a sweat-if you have a yoga mat or a nice comfy surface, work on your core, glutes and legs with simple exercises you can find online. If you want to use weights but don’t have any, heavy items around your house will do such as books.

 

10) Take a nap: winter tends to make everyone tired and grumpy since there’s less sunlight and no one wants to be outside. Pass the time by sleeping the cold away!

 

11) Plan a vacation/trip to somewhere warm: best way to deal with the cold? Get away from it!