Dear homebodies, you have a tendency to go into hibernation once the holiday season passes and winter sets in.  You use the cold weather as an excuse to isolate yourself for the duration in fluffy slippers and cozy blankets.  As we’ve previously mentioned, spending time alone is essential in maintaining good mental health, but there is such a thing as too much alone time — especially for you family-oriented earth signs.

So, here are some ways to help you learn to savor the cold with your friends and family, rather than spend all your time avoiding it.  After all, life is too short to waste any season!

Go on a nature walk

As tempting as it is to huddle in the warmth of your home all winter, it’s important to try to get some exercise and fresh air from time to time.  You may not want to brave the cold if there’s snow on the ground, but think about what you’re missing!  Freshly fallen snow is a beautiful sight, and there’s something satisfying about the crunch of snow under foot.  The world looks so clean and new and sparkly when it’s coated in a glittering white.

You can take a trip to your local park — those paths you walked last summer will feel like a new experience now that they’re blanketed in snow.  Reward yourself for getting out of doors with your favorite winter coffee drink or hot chocolate to keep warm and toasty while you wander.  I challenge you to stay outside as long as your drink stays hot — or at the very least, fifteen minutes.  But even if it’s just a short walk around your neighborhood, it will help keep your blood moving and your body will appreciate the fresh air.  A warm parka and a cold nose could feel so exhilarating that you don’t wind you way back home for another hour!  

Build a snow family

*Knock, knock, knock-knock, knock!

“Do you wanna build a snowmaaaaan?” *

As Frozen’s Anna knows, building a snowman or two (or more!) is the perfect activity to bring everyone together to spend some much-needed time outside.  Unlike Elsa and Anna, you won’t have magical powers to help you, so make sure everyone is bundled up in their warmest, most water-proof winter clothes.  It may take a while!

Each of you can build yourself a snowman, -woman, or -child!  Make a snow family, or just let your creativity run wild and create the wackiest character you think of!  Be sure to add all the embellishments, like scarves, hats, and a long, carrot nose.  If you’re not frozen yet, make some snow-tables and snow-chairs and have yourself an outside cup of something piping hot — survey your fabulous snow creations, and be sure to take plenty of pictures posing with your new snowy friends.  I think you’ll find that, for a while, you’ll have totally forgotten about the cold — you’ll feel just like a kid again!

*  “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” Disney film Frozen, 2013.  Composer/Lyricist:  Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, as performed by Kristen Bell, Agatha Lee Monn & Katie Lopez

Plan a cozy cabin trip

Did I mention how much of a homebody you are?  Okay, well, let’s work with that.  This winter, try planning a cozy cabin trip — it’s got the hominess you crave, and the winter you want to actually experience this year.  The magical two, for the win!  And sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what you need to get you through a long winter.  Find your perfect, wintry escape cabin — look for something that is just enough distance from your everyday life, while still allowing you to enjoy all the comforts of home!

Fill up your car (or rent one) with your favorite people, pack indoor activities, one thing to do outside (you’ve got to brave the cold sometime!), lots of snacks, and head into the woods or mountains for the weekend.  You can keep the trip local — or drive out of state to explore new regions of the country, if you dare.  Along with some much-needed rest and relaxation, you can easily enjoy any of the other activities listed here on your trip, play board games with your loved ones, or just enjoy the tranquil peace and quiet of the great outdoors.  The world even sounds different in the snow!

Create a hot chocolate bar

Nothing warms you so sweetly as a huge, steamy mug of hot chocolate!  But, knowing you earth signs, an ordinary cup of Swiss Miss or Nestle’s Hot Cocoa isn’t going to cut it.  The star of the show is obviously the hot chocolate, itself.  You can easily make your own fresh hot chocolate in a slow cooker or on the stove, or create your own mix to have on hand for later — there are lots of healthier hot chocolate and mix options online! — whenever you get the craving for a sweet treat.  You’ll probably have a few different options for loved ones to choose from, like white hot chocolate, Mexican hot chocolate, or a peppermint version.  And don’t forget all the toppings!  Yum!

You can host your own hot chocolate bar party, or just have all the fixings on hand for whenever your loved ones come over.  Since we want you to enjoy the winter, how about placing this party setting by a window and watch the snow fall while you visit with friends, or just sit back and admire mother nature’s handiwork, whatever her plans are for your own, personal winter wonderland.  If you’re super adventurous with your hot chocolate, set some chairs up on the deck or balcony — chilly cheeks and hot chocolate make a memorable combination! 

Throw a comfort movie marathon

If you decide that it’s honest-to-goodness too cold to go outside, then a comfort movie marathon is the perfect way to help stave off the winter blues.  Invite your best buddies over for a cozy night in — complete with lots of warm blankets and delicious food!  You can keep it laid-back with some snacks and drinks, or go all out with a curated, themed dinner and drink menu that goes with the film.  If that sounds like too much planning after the holidays, offer a pot-luck meal, where everyone brings their favorite dish.  You could even share the dinner theme idea — collaborate on the types of dishes for the theme, and you’ll have the first curated-pot-luck on the block! 

You can stick with a standalone movie or two, or (if you’re feeling ambitious) settle in for the long-haul with a series like The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or Harry Potter.  Maybe choose movies all from one genre, like action, fantasy, animated, historical, drama, comedy, indie, or film noir? You can take turns hosting with your friends, or let everyone choose their unique comfort movie to bring for you all to enjoy.  Depending on how you select the movies, your movie night may turn into a sleepover party or span multiple weekend afternoons — but that just makes it all the more fun! 

Start a new books series

Another thing about those too-frozen-to-go-outside days is that they’re the perfect excuse to start that new book series you’ve had sitting on your shelf for months!  Now that the holidays are over and you finally have the time, take this opportunity to stretch out on the couch under your favorite warm blanket and let yourself get lost amongst the pages.  Gather a drink and some snacks because you won’t want to have to run to the kitchen later when you’re smack in the middle of a great chapter!  It’s been quite a busy few months, and you deserve to give yourself a nice, relaxing evening.  A little vicarious living through your main character while you’re waiting for your neighborhood to thaw is just what the doctor ordered!  

You may be tempted to reread an old favorite (and I totally get that), but I strongly encourage you to treat yourself to something new this time.  Who knows?  You may even stumble upon a new favorite that you’ll want to reread for many years to come — but let this special time be for starting a new series or exploring a new author.  If you aren’t sure which series to start, you can take a look at our The Perfect Book Genre for You! (Based on Your Zodiac) blog to give you a few ideas!

For more of this series, check out — 6 Ways To Relish The Cold Weather, Fire Signs! — here!

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