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Today I want to share a post that may save your life this winter! These are some easy ways to stay happy this winter, even if you absolutely dread it!

Looking back, I never paid much attention to winter as a kid.

The only thing I kept an eye out for was that once a year snow day that cancelled school. In Texas, that usually meant an ice storm that made the roads too slick to drive on the next morning. Either way, it meant school was closed!

When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 10, I began realizing winter meant pain and stiffness. The older I got, the more I started dreading those cold months because it really made things hard to get around. Many years I spent curled up in a blanket, moving as little as possible, just waiting for spring.

But that is no way to live!

A few years ago, I started coming up with easy ways to stay happy in the winter. I wanted to make the most of it and really enjoy every part of the year.

Now, I actually look forward to certain aspects of winter and the opportunities to do things I wouldn’t normally make time for.

So, here are easy ways to stay happy this winter!

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1. First, read this post on making the most of winter.

This is the starting point to finding a little happiness when it is cold! Today’s post is like a sequel to last years post on winter. This one is more about your mindset, but making the most of winter has great ideas for when your bored at home 🙂

2. Take Advantage of No Outside Chores

Now that we own a home, I enjoy this more and more. From March to November, we are mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, and pulling weeds. Sometimes every few days in the rainy seasons. I LOVE this about winter. We can actually sit around in the winter without feeling guilty. This is awesome!

3. Exercise to Warm Up

Exercise is the perfect way to be happy. It produces endorphins which will automatically boost your mood. In the summer, I have a hard time exercising as much because it is so hot outside. Even inside, it is warmer, and I can’t work out as long.

Since it’s cold anyway, getting up your heart rate will warm you up and make you happy. It’s a double win!

Try an at home work out for days you don’t want to leave your house. I do this almost everyday and really enjoy it (even though Ruger always thinks my yoga mat is his to lay on lol).

4. Learn Something New

My husband has been doing Rosetta Stone French the past few years, but he really makes good headway in the winter. Learning something new is not only fun to do when it’s too cold to do anything else, but it also works your mind and gives you a new skill. Perfect!

Winter is the perfect time to take an online course, or read a how to book.

Currently, I am learning how to play the piano on my own. I have always wanted to do it, but have never taken the leap. I bought a keyboard in the fall, but I have been too busy to sit down and learn it. Now that it’s winter, I look forward to practicing and taking classes.

5. Clean the Heck Out of Your House

This can also be a form of cardio which will warm you up too! Winter is really the perfect time to get your house nice and clean. Why wait to clean in the spring?

A few days ago, my husband and I completely cleaned out the garage. We built some shelves, organized all the paints, tools, and garden equipment. I vacuumed up all the saw dust and dirt. Since the garage is also our home gym, it made it so much more enjoyable to spend time in there.

If you own Chemistry Hacks for Home and Outdoor, you can make some homemade cleaning solutions and REALLY clean every nook and cranny. And for super cheap too! I have been making the homemade magic eraser ® recipe from this book and cleaning all the walls and fireplace mantel from all the Christmas stuff. It feels so awesome getting everything clean!

6. Get a House Plant

Plants are one of the best ways to clean the air and make you happy. Since you can’t spend as much time outside in the winter, enjoying nature inside is the perfect way to stay happy this winter.

I received a cane plant as a gift a few months ago, and I just love seeing it in the kitchen every morning. I will have a full post soon on winter house plants!

7. Take Pictures

Photography is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy trying out new lenses and lighting. One of my favorite things to do is take a walk around our area and take pictures of nature. It always puts me in a good me. If you follow on snapchat or instagram, you see evidence of this all the time 🙂

My mom also got me this cute little fuji film camera and it has been so fun snapping instant photos. It also has this neat vintage look, so the pictures have more character.

Winter is the perfect time to take pictures and soak in the moment.

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After writing this, I am already excited about doing some things while it is cold outside. I hope these easy ways to stay happy this winter can inspire you too!

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