Archives for December 2018

New York City is the city that never sleeps, even if it’s ten degrees below zero! Though you may not want to go window shopping down Fifth Avenue with a scarf covering half your face, there’s still plenty of happy things to do in the Big Apple in the winter.

Check out these places to cheer up during the cold in New York City.

The Bryant Park Winter Village
This NYC Winter Village pops up on the grounds of Bryant Park, right behind the New York Public Library, in late October and stays until just after the New Year. Along with a 17,000 square foot ice skating rink (FREE if you bring your own skates, rentals are available at a reasonable price), the village consists of closed-in kiosks full of eateries, shops, and plenty of good cheer.

Go To A Museum
New York City has so many museums that it would take months to see them all. If you’ve already checked off the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, MOMA, and the Museum of Natural History, consider spending an afternoon at one of the more eclectic museums, such as The Museum of the Moving Image, The New York Historical Society Museum & Library, the Houdini Museum of New York, or the Museum of the American Gangster.

The Big Apple Circus
Appearing in Lincoln Center from the end of November 2018 through March of 2019, the Big Apple Circus provides wholesome family entertainment in a warm, cozy environment. Check out their world-renowned trampoline performers, trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns.

Chelsea Piers
The Chelsea Piers is a sports and entertainment complex located on the Hudson River with a fitness gym, sports clubs for kids, bowling, ice skating, basketball, and other classes, clinics and programs. Fortunately, it also offers drop-in activities for those just passing by. These include batting cages, rock climbing, parcour, bowling, and a day pass for the gym. It’s a great place to get some exercise without freezing your toes off.

Eat Off The Beaten Path
New York City is chock full of funky restaurants. Check out these cold-weather options:

• Meow Parlor, where you can pet a purring resident cat while enjoying a sweet treat.
• The Refinery Rooftop at the Refinery Hotel which remains open to the sky throughout the coldest winter, thanks to crackling fireplaces and the rum-spiked Chef’s Cider.
• The Cobra Club, where you can indulge in spirits…and spiritual yoga.
• Alice’s Tea Cup where you can enjoy the richest scones ever along with a bottomless pot of hot tea.

Don’t let the winter blues get you down! There’s plenty to enjoy in New York City.

The mercury is falling, the days are getting shorter, and in some parts of the country, snow is already falling. It’s not uncommon to feel a lag in energy and spirits during this frigid time of the year, especially when you have to wake up while it’s still dark outside, and you return home from work in the gloaming.

If you’re feeling a dip in mood during the change of the season, check out these seven ways to deal with the Cold Weather Blues.

Exercise
Nothing boosts your energy levels better than a hard workout. But if the prospect of jogging in sub-zero weather has you down, maybe it’s time to revamp your routine. Consider joining a local gym or signing up for a new class. Hot yoga might help you forget how very cold it is outside for a little while, while a music-blasting Zumba class is bound to raise your spirits.

Eat Right
Though it may be tempting to reach for the easy carbs when it’s cold outside, consider nuts or fruit instead. Sugary snacks and those high in carbohydrates will give you an instant bump in energy, but the crash that follows will only exacerbate your blues.

Socialize
Snow and ice are very easy excuses to avoid social events, but hanging out with friends can boost your mood. Don’t say no–at least not all the time.

Start A Fun Project
Engage your mind in a new activity that will give you joy. Take up a challenging knitting project, start that scrapbook you’ve always wanted to make, get that extra bedroom painted, or take a woodworking class.

Go Outside
If you dress right, you won’t mind the cold. A brisk walk around the neighborhood or through a park stimulates your circulatory system and opens your mind.

Get Some Sunlight
Your body craves light. Make sure you set aside some time to sit next to a window where the sun pours in, take a walk outside, or take advantage of a sun lamp or light therapy box. Everyone needs vitamin D, and many people feel a mood boost after a good dose of sun exposure.

Fly South
If your winter blues tend to get deeper as the months go by, it’s a good idea to plan an escape. Scheduling a trip to a warmer place can boost your mood just from the anticipation.

About 14% of the US population suffers from bouts of the winter blues, and six percent experience the more marked depression called Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD). If you think you may be experiencing SAD, don’t hesitate to contact a mental health care professional who can help you manage your symptoms so you feel more like yourself.