Get Out! 5 Ways to Stay Social This Winter

Bears have it right: Play all summer, sleep all winter, and steal picnic baskets whenever you can. (Though, I think that last part is just a rumor.) If I could, I would hibernate during these cold months, too, but I can't 'cause living in a cave for three months a year just ain't possible. (Nor would it be very fun.)

In December and January, I spent quite a few weekends in bed watching Vh1 and eating pizza. I closed the curtains, got under the covers, and avoided life on the outside at all costs. My friends assured me, "You're just taking care of yourself. Consider it a staycation!" Sure, but after too many days doesn't "staycation" just become a nicer way of saying "depression"?

Winter blues are no myth: the Mayo Clinic describes seasonal affective disorder (appropriately shortened to SAD) as a type of depression where "symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody."

Sapped energy. Moodiness. The last thing I want to be on days like that is social, and here's where the cycle grows: the cold brings me down so I don't want to go out; I don't go out so I'm not being social; not being social brings me down. I feel like a loner, I feel left out, and I feel guilty. You know what I mean?

Look, there's nothing wrong with laying low, but if you're laying low so much you’re starting to feel low, then you may need to make some changes. So, how do we stay social in the winter?

If the fear of isolation isn't enough to get you out and about then maybe one of these five ideas will:

GET SCHOOLED
Until I became a "grown-up" (sigh), I never realized how kids are to spend nine months of the year learning and the other three months playing. As an adult, you probably can't spend your entire summer playing, but you can act like a kid again and spend your fall and winter and learning. There are courses available in just about everything: whether you want to learn fencing or flirting, there's a class for you. Taking a class is a great way to get out of the house and socialize, plus learning a new skill should boost your self-esteem (which may cheer up your winter blues).

GET MOVING
It's easy to ignore your body when you're drowning in multiple layers of sweaters and scarves. Instead of crash dieting in May so you can get bikini-ready read by June, get a head start on summer skin-baring season by working out now. Joining a gym or doing a fitness class — such as yoga, boxing, or spin — gets you physically and socially active. And if you can't afford a gym, why not start a fitness club with your friends? Each week, pick a new exercise DVD (or use on-demand fitness programming if you have cable) and invite a group of friends over to work out together. Don't underestimate the powerful comedy and calorie burn of something as simple as a hula-hooping session on the Wii Fit.

BE A TOURIST
I've lived in NYC for almost six years and am embarrassed to say I've only been to about a third of the city's amazing museums. We all take for granted the gems within our own neighborhoods, especially indoor attractions that get ignored in the warmer months. Make a list of all the indoor attractions and activities in your city, buddy up with a friend or two, and go see or do them! Whether it's seeing a live theatre or comedy show, hearing a lecture, even visiting your public library, there are plenty of new and warm places to hang out and have fun without having to travel too far or spend a ton of cash. Check out Shoestring's review of Off The Beaten Subway Track for more tips.

DRESS THE PART
I credit my love affair with boots and hats for my ability to not absolutely hate winter. Look, you have to go outside and you have to dress warm, so be sure to wrap up in cold weather gear that you actually love to wear. When I wake up to snow and wind, I look over at my leopard print coat (a $60 steal at Target last season) and my new black leather snow booties and it keeps me from crying. If you're like many Gumshoes and can't afford a new winter wardrobe, host a clothing swap with your pals — another great way to be social and bargain shop at the same time. Also, offer to help your parents or grandparents clean out their closets: you'll be helping them get organized; and you may even score some toasty warm vintage wear.

HOUSE PARTY
No, I'm not referring to the '90s hit films starring Kid 'n' Play, although a Pajama Jammie Jam does sound like a great idea. If you really don't want to leave your place to see people, then bring the people to you. Organize a game night, a movie night or a potluck dinner. Just make sure at least one of those dishes is loaded with vitamin D, which has been proven to be a very effective natural remedy for SAD.

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