On a February St. Louis morning I opened the blinds in my room to my great surprise. Sun! Blinding sun! I sprung out of bed, my mood lifted from the weight of the persistently cloudy week past. What would the day hold? The possibilities were seemingly endless after being cooped up inside by the wrath that is a St. Louis winter. I watched a lecture in bed with the sunlight gloriously wrapped around my body and face. The sun is so good for the mind, I think to myself, elated to be sunbathing in bed while being lectured on the killer whale’s evolving diet.
Later that day I went for my daily “covid walk,” a time to break from a severe case of cabin fever and breathe the fresh air–even if through a mask at times. The sun hits you especially hard when you haven’t seen it in a week. Sometimes you even forget it’s missing until you open your blinds or step outside. The mood was different on this walk. It was spirited, joyous. I walked with purpose and a newfound appreciation for the nature and beauty around me. Why? The sun was out.
Many of us struggle to maintain this spirited, “sunny” mood when the St. Louis sun hides from us for weeks at a time. But we cannot put this mood on pause until we see the sun again, because, as we know, it might be some time until we do. So instead of waiting around, I am providing us all with some tips and tricks to keep a sunny disposition on the cloudiest and rainiest of days.
- TAKE OFF THOSE PAJAMAS
Wake up and get dressed. Even if you’ve got nowhere to go, and the weather isn’t your friend. Yes, you can keep it comfortable. I’m not necessarily recommending jeans around the house…but to each their own. In my book, a fresh pair of sweats, or leggings will do just fine.
- BUY A FUN LIGHT
There’s nothing like some nice lighting in your room to counteract the dismal effects that cloudy days may cast. Light therapy lamps range in design, color, shape, size etc….there is at least one out there for you that can do the trick!
- MAKE A RAINY DAY TREAT
Cook or bake that treat that you keep watching videos on and drooling over. Maybe you’ve been saving it for a “rainy day.” Well here it is, get cooking.
- WALK OUTSIDE
Just try it. It may be pouring or unforgivingly cloudy, but the worst part, always, is motivating yourself to get outside. Inside is so cozy you may tell yourself. And it is. But nothing replaces fresh air–and hey, if you’ve followed step 1, you’re already dressed! That’s half the battle taken care of.
- WATCH A MOVIE
And I deliberately say a movie and not a TV show for a reason. It makes it an event–a set block of time to experience a cinematic wonder in its entirety. Watch that movie you’ve been meaning to watch forever. Watch it alone if you need some time to yourself, or with a friend if you want to make it a more social experience. If that’s not physically possible, try Netflix Party!
So, here’s to finding the beauty and potential in all seasons. St. Louis may be conservative with its sun in the winter months, but don’t let those moments in between sunshine go to waste.