Stay Social This Winter

As the holiday bustle comes to a close, many of us are looking forward to spending solo time reading a book or listening to music. But too much quiet and solitude, especially during the gray winter months of Ohio, can bring boredom and blues.

Here are 6 suggestions for staying social and active this winter.

 1. Find a group or club that likes to “play” outside - or start one.

“Regular aerobic exercise works like an antidepressant charm. A morning exercise routine is best, especially one that includes outdoor activity. So pick up a new winter sport like snowshoeing, skiing, or ice fishing. There’s a saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Why not invest in clothing that keeps you warm, cozy, and dry?” according to the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute.

Depending on your interest, consider the Cleveland Ski Club, the Cleveland Hiking Club or join a birding group, such as the monthly gathering at the Nature Center at Shaker Lake.  

2. Ditto for a group that prefers mentally engaging activities. 

If you’re an avid reader, join a book club (hosted by many libraries and bookstores), or if creative expression is your interest check out art classes at Firelands Association for the Visual Arts or Beck Center for the Arts, or if games are your thing, consider the Greater Cleveland Chess Club. 

Need ideas? Check out Meetup gatherings on a range of interests in your area or at your local YMCA or community center. 

3. Share your time and talent with a nonprofit.

“Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research has found that volunteering among adults, age 60 and over, provided benefits to physical and mental health. Volunteers report better physical health than nonvolunteers. Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older,” the Mayo Clinic Health System explains.

Whether you enjoy working one-on-one with children or senior citizens, in nature or with animals or on group projects, such as those at Habitat for Humanity or a food bank, volunteer opportunities abound. For suggestions, ask local churches, schools, hospitals and regional United Way offices.

4. Have a scheduled engagement with a favorite relative or friend on the calendar.

 If you like to explore new restaurants or galleries or parks, find a kindred soul who is willing to commit to a meetup once a week or month. Or maybe you connect regularly by phone/Zoom with a friend who lives out of town.

5. Plan a nearby getaway.

Yes, visiting a sunny state like Florida or Arizona in the winter is a grand idea but that takes money and time, so consider a short and nearby trip with a friend or group of friends. Ohio and other states offer discounts at their state park lodges and cabins during the slow winter months, or check out museums in a nearby city such as Columbus or Cincinnati (home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center) or head across the Ohio River for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Keep a running “wish list” of destinations or sites you’d like to visit someday, and then make it happen during the winter doldrums. Check out Ohio Tourism for other ideas.

6. Throw a party. 

Stay warm this winter, but remember it’s also important to stay social.