The huswife's guide to

It's been winter FOREVER this year and if you're reasonably far north you've probably spent most of it surrounded by the polar vortex. We've had double the normal amount of days below -30 this year and woke up to -48 with the wind chill on Saturday, MARCH 1ST! Nerves are taxed and spirits are running pretty low right now. Here's 30 ways to brighten your mood when it's too cold to go outside with little or no prep work. These can be done with or without kids.

1. Bake. Anything you like! Do it with the kids! Eat it all yourself or give it away.
2. Dance. Stick on some upbeat music and get moving. The exercise will lift your spirits and warm you up.
3. Watch a Movie. Snuggle up and put on something with a motivational or feel-good plotline to help cheer you up.
4. Declutter. When spring hits you'll want to be outside so why not start the cleaning now while you're trapped indoors?
5. Plan your summer vacation. Even if it's only something small take a look at where you're going to go and what you might be doing. So what if plans change, it will be nice to have something to look forward to.
6. Read books from your childhood or classics. 
7. Make something. Knit, crochet, sew, build, scrapbook, kid's crafts, whatever!
8. Learn something new. A language. Quantum physics. How to cross stitch. Or teach something new to the kids that you're passionate about.
9. Put out (or make) spring decorations. Show winter who's boss by covering your house with pastels, it will lift your mood and make everything feel more spring like.
10. Rearrange the furniture. Change is good.
11. Try out a new recipe. Get the kids involved or spend the day creating something elaborate.
12. Sing. There's something about singing that lifts the spirits. If you play an instrument do that.
13. Connect with a friend. You may not have seen them in forever but hop on to Skype or Facebook or pick up the phone and dial someone who's voice makes you happy. 
14. Try on all your summer clothes. Purge what you don't want anymore. This is a good reminder that summer exists.
15. Clean your house. The act is not fun but sitting in a nice clean space is definitely mood lifting.
16. Eat healthy. When fruits and vegetables are not in season it's tempting to go for processed foods over fresh but it has a negative effect on our moods, so when possible reach for a healthy snack and add lots of veggies to your meals.
17. Sip a warm beverage. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the moment.
18. Have a beach day. Turn up the heat, put on summer clothes, and relax in the living room. Have a picnic and maybe take a dip in the bathtub, bathing suit and all.
19. Plan your garden. Even if you don't have a huge space you can still plant stuff indoors or on a patio. Do you want flowers? Herbs? Veggies? If you order seeds online now's the time.
20. Load up on positivity. Look up inspirational quotes and write them down or display them. I like "May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live."
21. Play social games. Board games, video games, online games - whatever, as long as you're doing it with other people and having fun.
22. Entertain. Invite guests for dinner or a play date. Nothing fancy needed but being around other people will help.
23. Make a summer bucket list. List all the things you want to do this summer with friends, family, or kids. Try something new!
24. Get out. Even though it's too cold to be outside try and go for dinner, to a museum, or take the kids somewhere for indoor fun.
25. Check the long range forecast. Knowing we only have another two weeks before the weather starts going into the positives (and some snow melts!) is really inspiring.
26. Soak up the sun. On a sunny but cold day sit by the window and enjoy the warm rays, like a cat.
27. Think about the good in your life. It can be easy to lose sight of what's important when you're depressed and stuck inside. Thinking about what you have to be happy about and thankful for can lift your spirits, at least enough to keep going.
28. Do some indoor exercise. Even if you don't have fancy equipment you can still do body weight stuff or yoga.
29. Cheer someone else up. Talking to and helping others with their problems can help give you perspective on what's upsetting you.
30. Take time out to do something you love. Make some time for your interests and passions and don't let them slip away into the winter blues.