Though winter officially begins on December 21^st, it’s been dark in Tacoma since September. By now I bet you’ve felt the winter blues. It happened every year: the night slowly begins to get longer, the weather gradually gets drearier, and sometimes you just can’t tell whether its dawn or dusk! For some people, winter ennui can manifest as a condition called Seasonal Depression. Luckily, it’s not always as bad as that, but there is always something you can do to beat the Winter Blues. You could:

1. Spot winter wildlife.-Don’t let the cold keep you inside! Even if it’s not snowing, a winter wonderland awaits. Many plants bloom in the even the coldest weather: The Winter Camellia blooms in colors from bright red to white, and the Mahonia attracts winter hummingbirds, brightening up any dreary day.
2. Cook. – Instead of lazing around and eating more snack food, try making something you’ve always wanted to, like a from-scratch chicken-pot pie, or a spicy Indian curry. Nothing beats some hot chili paste to make it feel like summer!
3. Clean. – Though it sounds lame, cleaning actually can help relieve stress. Put some tunes on and reorganize! Even a small change can revolutionize your outlook.
4. Get together with friends – Don’t let yourself get cut off by the dull weather. Socialize! Everything is always better with company.

Have fun. – Have a personal dance party. Watch a movie marathon. But no matter what you do, don’t let winter get you down.