Beat The Winter Blues! | The Student Pocket Guide
by Elena Doncheva

It’s getting colder with every day, snow is on its way and you’re feeling under the weather. Now that the Holidays are over and the festive hype slowly dies, you start to feel the winter blues! Fed up with tacky Christmas presents? Is the scale showing a couple of kilograms more than it was before you ate all the turkey leftovers? Or, are you even still feeling your New Year’s Day hangover? If the answer is yes to any of these questions and your wondering how you can boost those endorphin levels; here’s a definitive guide on how to beat the winter blues!


Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa or hot chocolate

The house is finally silent, there are no fireworks booming out of your neighbour’s backyard and your university deadlines are far ahead. Now is the time to cuddle under soft blankets with a nice hot beverage (non- alcoholic, give your liver a break!), preferably hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. Enjoy a nice film, with an actual story line, that does not include Santa, Rudolph or a snowman.

Organise a weekend trip!

Chances are you are back to work, uni or college soon, so why not make the most of your winter break. The festive season is over, the tourist offers for New Year’s Eve in London are over and the city is as peaceful as the capital can get. Visit as many museums as you possibly can, most offer free entry. You’ll lose hours staring at ancient skeletons, beautiful pictures and strange machines. Also,  walking around will help you lose the 2 kilograms you gained during Christmas!

Go shopping…

It’s sales time! Everything is half price, no matter which way you look, tell-tale red labels are everywhere. Spend hours in warm shopping malls, while it is freezing outside. You will probably struggle to escape from the crowds, but who needs time alone when there are sales? Bear in mind though, you might be a little short on cash after buying presents for family and friends, so use your card wisely.

Bungee jumping

Go bungee jumping, skydiving or something similar. Or, start saving up! Confronting your fears will make you happier, the adrenaline rush will boost your mood and you will start the new year with a bang. You can always take someone with you for support or organize it as a group challenge. The more, the merrier. The sense of accomplishment will make you feel better than the new Christmas jumper you found under the tree.

Gather your friends for a game

Book a sports hall in a nearby gym, call all your friends and divide into teams. Enough with the board games at home, it is time to break a sweat. Choose a game like volleyball, badminton or basketball and enjoy the exercise. After the festivities, everyone will need some toning up and a communal game is the perfect way to have fun and catch up after the holidays – just don’t take the score too seriously!