Thrive's Winter Survival Guide

Play board games: Tabletop gaming hobby has surged in the past few years. Board games are a great way to spend time offline, exercise those brain cells, and take your mind off anything that might be bothering you for a few hours. If you’re just getting started in the hobby, try games like Roll for It (think Yahtzee, but better) or Sushi Go!, which has you collect adorable dumpling and wasabi cards to score points. There’s a game for every fandom, too, from Star Wars and Star Trek, to Lord of the Rings or The Avengers!

Knit or use a loom: For most of us, winter means scarves, hats, mittens, and fuzzy slippers. It’s also the perfect time to learn a new craft, like crochet or knitting. There are some adorable, stylish patterns on Pinterest, and tons of video tutorials on YouTube. If you have trouble using your hands, try a table loom or circle loom. They can be used with one hand, and tend to be more accessible. Knit/crochet items also make perfect, meaningful gifts. Bottom line is have fun and be creative! You can also share your creations with us by tagging #ThriveWinter on Twitter and sending in a picture.

Drink tea: Tea is delicious, and tastes even better when you’re trying to get warm. With so many amazing natural caffeine-free or low-caffeine options, it’s also healthy and can help you relax. Loose tea is my favorite for a delicate, but flavorful option – and I especially love instant tea drops. Try the chocolate earl grey - it’s my favorite! Many herbal blends are good for upset stomachs or before bedtime, too.

Make plans: Isolation is a huge factor in winter blues. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier to get together with friends via Skype, Second Life, or other online chat platforms. For  more escapism, you can play multiplayer games online like World of Warcraft or Minecraft. There are so many options out there - you can even play board games online!

You can also connect to Thrive's online community; we're always hosting Twitter chats, starting discussions on our Facebook page, and sharing your stories on our Letters to Thrive Tumblr. Set up virtual dates with friends, meet some new ones, and get that party started.

Baking!: Another way to get warm is to eat some delicious creations from your oven. Baking is fun, but also a challenge; whether it’s cookies, cakes, pies (frozen or homemade). Don’t be afraid to try, or to get help from loved ones. I can’t use most kitchen items or utensils, but I enjoy reading and explaining recipes to whoever helps me. Looking for something yummy? Check out this episode of Sarah’s Great Day, sponsored by Thrive, and see how to make caramel apple hand pies! You can also get this recipe

Send snail mail: The internet has made it so easy to communicate with each other, and that means paper letters and cards are slowly becoming a thing of the past - heck, even e-mail is headed that way. But it's truly wonderful receiving an envelope with your name on it from someone in another state or country. I’ve been friends with my penpal from Finland for over 20 years! Since hand writing is becoming increasingly difficult for me, I don’t send as much mail as I’d like – but even if you have to type everything, sending out a letter is still so much fun! There are even websites that allow you to send paper mail through the internet.

Adult coloring books: These are all the rage right now. Adult coloring books help many individuals handle stress, and they are a relaxing way to spend your time at home. While many adult coloring books are expensive, there are affordable options in some craft stores and online. Print your favorite designs, get some crayons or colored pencils, and let your creativity fly. If coloring is difficult for you, there are app-based coloring programs like Colorfy that you can use on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Join Thrive's book club: My absolute favorite thing to do in the winter is read. I gravitate toward heavy topics in my book choices, but also find comfort in fun adventures like Harry Potter or Doctor Who. Comics and graphic novels are good, too, when you just don’t have the energy or attention for something longer.

You can also join our book club where we feature writers with disabilities every month! Visit the club hub to see what we're reading now, and learn how you can participate.

Change your view: It’s so easy to just plant yourself in front of a computer or TV and stay there all day. I do that a lot; my computer is also attached to my cable box, so I don’t even have to leave my room! But I find it is best if I move to another area for a while, whether it’s in the kitchen to do some reading, or even outside for a few minutes when it’s unseasonably warm.

A change of scenery is refreshing, and even motivating. Sitting by a window to get some natural sunlight can also lift your mood. Many individuals with disabilities may be stuck in bed for long periods of time, which makes this difficult – but even if you get help with changing the look of the room you’re in (switching around furniture, or hanging a new picture on the wall, etc), that can help as well.

Ask for help: If the suggestions above aren't enough to brighten your winter day or help you, always remember that it is okay to ask for help when you're struggling. Reach out when you need it, whether it's talking to loved ones or seeking professional help. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers a great online resource for finding mental health care. Many Easterseals centers offer mental health services as well. Find a location in your area.

Do you have any winter survival tips? Share them in our comment section below, or tag #ThriveWinter on Twitter.