I don’t know about you, but I’m sure most would agree this weather sucks! Honestly, it’s been like below zero for two weeks. And could we get any more snow? At this rate, we’ll have a foot on the ground to kick off a great spring break.

January and February are also the prime months for the winter blues to kick in. You know, the time when you just get in a routine of going to class and doing homework, but not enjoying anything you’re doing. One can tend to get in a depressed state because of the mundane winter routine, and it’s not until spring becomes sprung that normalcy returns.

Well, don’t worry because I have just the cure to get that spring mentality right now to fight those winter blues away.

First, get off your butt and start exercising. Come on, I know that was a lot of people’s New Year’s resolutions so continue doing it or get started. Not only will you feel better about the way your body looks, but you will also release those endorphins to make you think more positively. Doctors recommend that you exercise at every other day for at least a half hour.

After you’ve worked off that extra hamburger, get a life, or better yet, a hobby. A great way to take your mind off the blah weather is to take yourself away from the television and learn how to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe it’s playing the piano, knitting or jump roping. If you don’t want to learn something new, I always find it comforting to color, paint or turn up the music really loud and dance.

If doing things alone seems boring, then my advice is to join a club. Campus clubs are always looking for new faces to join them in their quest for fighting for a cause. Whether it’s politics, social issues or educational topics that interest you, there’s a club out there for everyone.

If not a club, then there’s always a new intramural sports team looking for students to join.

Another great way to rid yourself of winter blues is to escape winter altogether for a bit. That’s why spring break is so amazing. The strategically planned break is perfect to cure the winter blues because you have a chance to go somewhere where the sun always shines and it’s above freezing for longer than one hour. I would highly recommend going somewhere south, either Florida or Texas, or if you can afford it, Mexico or the Bahamas.

If you can’t afford to take a vacation because you are one of the thousands of poor college students and you still want to enjoy the sun, no problem, because natural light can be achieved by purchasing a light box. These are used for medicinal purposes to those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. They give out UV rays like the sun, and they are proven to enhance the moods of those who are down.

If you’re in need of a tan, tanning beds have the same idea because they also give off UV rays that make your mood brighter and your skin darker. Of course, you know all about the possible health risks that come with tanning, so I won’t preach about it.

Whatever your weapon of choice might be to fight those winter blues off, always remember that spring is on its way, and it will be here sooner than you think.