With the holidays over, the long season of dark, dreary, cold months stretches before us. Of course, it will be over before we know it, but it never feels that way. In fact, it feels like the absolute longest time of year.
It’s during this time of year when many suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. It can kill your mood, make you feel tired and listless, and it often results in depression. We’re often stuck in the house, binge-watching Netflix and eating unhealthy food, waiting for Mother Nature (and our moods) to spring forward once again.
So, what can you do to stave off these winter blues? Plenty! Here on Cape Cod, there are literally hundreds of things you can do to get out of the house, cheer yourself up, stay active and interact with other human beings on a regular basis. Here are a few suggestions:
Get moving – This doesn’t necessarily mean go to the gym, in the traditional sense. It means do something different. Take up indoor swimming, join an adult ice-hockey team, or check out adult karate classes. Why not find a Zumba class, or even yoga? The Barnstable YMCA offers so many great options, you’ll find something that’s perfect for you. Visit ymcacapecod.org to see for yourself, or check out the Cape Adult Sports League at sports.capecodchatter.com/.
Become a Big Brother/Big Sister – You can be someone’s real-life hero. By becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, you can be a mentor, a friend, and give of yourself and your time to encourage a young person to be their best self. It can truly be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. To get more information, visit bbbsmb.org/cape-cod/volunteer.
Check out your local community theater – There are lots of people who have always wanted to test their acting chops. If you want to act, or you prefer to remain behind the scenes (or actually painting them), a community theater can be just what the doctor ordered. There are numerous community theaters and playhouses on the Cape which are always on the lookout for volunteers. Visit the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce website for some performing arts ideas at capecodchamber.org/play/performing-arts.
Add a little culture to your life – Get your creativity on with a workshop or two at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. The Center offers classes in everything from drawing and painting (even for beginners!) to pottery, photography, organizing photos, guitar lessons and Rumba dancing. You’ll never be bored with all of the activities that are available. Find your own bliss at cultural-center.org.
Continue your education – Continued learning never goes out of style, and there is always something new to learn. Learn about boating and seamanship, try your hand at the culinary arts, learn about horticulture, take a computer class, learn a new language – the list can go on forever, because there is so much knowledge available for the taking. Many organizations all over the Cape offer continuing education for adults. Start with Cape Cod Community College or the Academy for Lifelong Learning of Cape Cod.
Check out Mass Audubon – If being outdoors in the winter doesn’t bother you one bit, Mass Audubon offers more classes, outings and events than you can count, on a year-round basis. Volunteer for an event or sign up for a class on bird-watching. Take part in a winter festival or try your hand at crafts. There is literally something for everyone. Take a look for yourself at massaudubon.org.
Volunteer – Cape Cod is home to some of the most generous people around. But there are still so many in need of your time and help, whether it’s visiting seniors, helping homeless children, participating in after-school mentoring, bringing healthy, hot meals to those who are shut in, taking care of animals, and so much more. The need for volunteers is enormous. If you don’t know where to start, try capecodvolunteers.org/need/
About Ann Luongo
