On a sunny clear day, you can improve your body; on a rainy foggy day, you can improve your mind! ~Mehmet Murat ildan
It has been a mild winter in the Pacific Northwest and even though we did not get much snow in the lowlands, it has been raining a lot since January. I start work early in the morning before the sun comes up and get home late in the day. I don’t remember the last time I actually saw the sun. It is very easy to get discouraged by the dreary days in winter. What can one do to turn that around? I am lucky to have friends who constantly pushing to keep me active, both mentally and physically. Here are some of the things I like to do to keep the winter blues away.
Indoor climbing – This is my new-found interest. We took an introductory class and learned to tie ropes, belay and climb. It is a whole body workout and with the gym constantly changing their climbing routes, we are never bored. My goal is to someday climb somewhere outdoor.
Hiking and snowshoeing – With the right gear, you can hike any time of the year. I normally don’t like to hike in heavy rain but light rain or showers are tolerable, especially in forested hikes where the rain is blocked by the tree canopy.
Netflix/You-Tube binging – This is not a recommended activity for everyone but I find it to be a very useful tool for me to decompress. I am kind of addicted to the Chinese television series and their reality shows lately. I did improve my Chinese language and discover quite a few areas I would like to travel and visit in China. Armed with my newly acquired knowledge, we will be embarking on our first adventure to China in just a little over a month, but who’s counting!
Get together with friends and sharing stories – Once in a while I crave for adult conversation and story telling, making new friends and catching up with old friends.
What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
