Winter Challenge
Cold weather, storms, ice, and blustery winds are always difficult to go out in during the winter months. Many of us, myself included, find ourselves staying in the warmth of our homes for days and weeks at a time.
I try to schedule annual medical tests during the warmer months to avoid doctor’s offices as much as possible during the flu and cold season. Shopping is done online, along with grocery delivery. It is all very convenient but also makes for lonely times and eventually boring.
How to get through it
As the cold weather drags on, it becomes increasingly difficult to entertain myself. I can feel the restlessness begin around January. Here in New England, there are still a couple more months to go before the temperature starts rising.
It is too easy to become a couch potato under a snuggly blanket, so I purposely do not turn the television on during the day. I think we all know by now, sitting around too much is not good for our bodies and our lungs.
I am throwing out a challenge to the community to provide ways to stay busy and keep our minds entertained through the long winter months. Here are some of my suggestions.
Learn something new
Take an online class or craft class. Udemy.com and Eventbrite.com are two places I use. Take some time and look through everything they have to offer. There are free events and discounted classes. Get on their mailing lists for notifications. Goggle online classes for a variety of interests.
Learn a musical instrument. Playing the harmonica is a great exercise for our lungs. The COPD Foundation has a program called Harmonicas For Health.
Find new interests
Take up a new hobby. Pinterest is a wonderful place to find new interests, as well as YouTube. Facebook also has many hobby groups all over the world. There are so many special interest groups and fascinating people at the click of your mouse.
Try some winter gardening. A good plant light or an indoor garden system can be fun. Some of them have fresh herb kits, salad kits, or be creative with your own seeds.
Virtual opportunities
Book clubs are nothing new, but many are now available online. My local senior center has theirs available this way, with a new book to discuss each month. Many local libraries do as well. It is a wonderful way to stay engaged with other people.
Exercise. I know this is boring and something many of us don’t want to do, myself included. We need to though so isn’t this the perfect time of year to find some new routines? Check through YouTube. Now might be the time to try some yoga, qigong, or my favorite, dance exercises.
Virtual travel is my way to visit the world, especially since I can no longer fly. I can visit the Louvre In Paris, or visit Yosemite National Park.
My favorite is watching the bears live as they catch salmon in Alaska and the wildlife watering holes in Africa. A search for virtual travel tours on YouTube will bring you around the world. I just finished visiting London and a tour of Buckingham Palace.
Suggestions anyone?
What interests do you have or have been wanting to try? Is there somewhere you have wanted to visit but no longer can because of COPD limitations? Let’s come up with ideas to keep ourselves busy this winter. I can’t wait for new suggestions!
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Editor's Note: We are heartbroken to share that Carol passed away in February of 2022. Carol's storytelling and advocacy will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on through her articles and in all the people she inspired.
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