After Christmas, it can feel like just a couple of grey, cold, months that lie ahead with not a lot to do and a lot of cabin fever.

But the good news is there are things you can do to make you feel productive even in the winter time and also help you prepare for spring, and help the winter months pass by a little quicker.

Here are five ways to get through the winter even if all you want is for it to be spring already, and be that much more excited for when it finally comes.

Make sleep a priority

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Since it is cold and grey and the sun goes down a lot earlier it may be time for you to also go down earlier and catch up on sleep that you have probably been needing.

The winter is a great time to get more sleep and get in the habit of having an earlier bedtime, which will not only make you feel more rested but also help prevent the chances of you getting sick, which can be an issue in winter.

Organize your home

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The one upside to being stuck in your house all day because it’s freezing outside is that you can use that time to do some organizing.

You can go room to room and write down all the things you’ve been meaning to do and then each day you can mark those items off of your list.

Not only will it be nice to spend time in an organized home, but you can also involve the whole family because they are also stuck inside and can help the house get into tip-top shape before spring.

Clear your driveway

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Clearing your driveway of snow and ice is a great way to be motivated to actually leave your house, but also ensures that you actually will be able to if you ever need to.

It may seem silly considering once you clear the snow only more will come, but making sure to do it on a regular basis will ensure that it stays relatively clear and doesn’t become overwhelming.

If you are not in the mood to do it and want some professional help you can hire snow removal services to come and do it for you, and you can look for some in your area by visiting websites like ifyardbutler.com.

Go outside

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Although this may be the very last thing you want to do during winter and before spring comes, getting outside will really help your mood and give you something to do.

Even if it’s just for a short walk or if you are feeling more adventurous and go skiing or snowboarding, getting outside will get you moving and active and make time pass a lot quicker.

Have a nice fire

Another simple thing that makes a big difference, in the wintertime, there is nothing like building a nice warm fire and sitting by the fireplace, reading a good book, or watching a good movie.

It will make winter time a lot more bearable and help pass the time before spring finally comes.

The post 5 Ways To Get Through the Winter Even If All You Want Is Spring appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you already have a special someone or are looking for a something to do or see with someone you are interested winter is a great time of year for fun and festive date ideas.

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From sleigh rides and winter hikes to fun night activities in Hollywood, California (or wherever you are), there’s something magical for everyone to enjoy.

Here are five fun and festive date ideas to do this winter that will make this time of year the best time of all.

Bake a pie together

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Nothing starts the holiday season more than pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.  Whatever pie is your favorite create a fun evening by getting all the ingredients for your favorite pies together and then make and bake them!

You can even turn it into a fun little competition, and the best part is that you get to enjoy a yummy treat at the end of it, so this date idea is really just a win, win.

Get lost in a corn maze

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Who says you can’t go to a corn maze in the winter? Corn mazes are a super fun date activity in the fall, but in the winter you can find one that’s abandoned and get lost alone with the special someone.

It’s a fun date where you will have to work together to get out of the maze, which is a great way to get to know each other. You can look up some really creative corn mazes in your area that were created by Mazeplay, which are not only fun to walk through but fun to look at as well.

Go on a sleigh ride

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Another fun activity that gives you an excuse to cuddle up to that significant other is a sleigh ride.

Most of the time you can find these downtown or in your city center. Just do a quick search for sleigh rides in your area. Bundle up in warm clothes and snuggle up as you enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride together.

Take a long drive

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Even if the snow has started to fall, a long drive is always a good time with someone you enjoy spending time with.

A great way to get a front-row seat of some beautiful views is to take a drive up into the mountains to check out the snow or drive through a forest. You can even make it more of an adventure by stopping at a few breweries in PA or elsewhere along the way to sample seasonal craft beers and warm up between scenic stops.

Listen to your favorite music, talk and get to know each other better, or just hold hands and take in the peaceful scenery.

Have a cozy night in

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A date doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant or involve a complicated activity, in the winter it can be as simple as simple as cuddling up to a warm fire together and putting on your favorite movie.

Throw in some hot chocolate and a couple of fuzzy blankets and you have a fun, cozy night for two.

While a cozy night in with a movie is wonderfully relaxing, sometimes the perfect date involves stepping out to enjoy exceptional food without the fuss of cooking. Imagine a leisurely Sunday, where someone else handles the preparation, serving up a hearty, traditional meal that warms you from the inside out. For those seeking a truly memorable culinary experience, places like Temper restaurant offer a fantastic Sunday roast, complete with succulent meats, crispy potatoes, and giant Yorkshire puddings. It’s an ideal way to spend quality time together, savoring delicious British produce cooked with a unique, fiery flair. This kind of relaxed, indulgent meal can be just as intimate and enjoyable as a night on the sofa, providing a perfect end to the weekend.

Whether you stay in or dine out, the essence of a great date lies in shared moments and genuine connection. It’s these simple yet meaningful experiences that create lasting memories and deepen your bond.

The post 5 Fun and Festive Date Ideas to Do This Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you, like me, have a tendency to get swept up in the changing seasons, you may be missing out on changes that can help you feel great as the months get colder. Check out these five ideas to see what you might benefit from this pumpkin season!

Your Look

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Who doesn’t love getting a fresh new look? Seasonal changes inspire lots of people to cut and color their hair or update their wardrobe, and it definitely serves as a confidence booster when your kids are heading back to school and life just seems busier. And with new trends emerging each year with every season, it’s easy to find something new and fun to try.

Even simple changes like parting your hair on the other side of your head or investing in a warm jacket that will transition perfectly into winter weather will get you in the Fall spirit and ready to take on the challenges ahead.

Your Workout

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If you like to get your sweat on at the gym, it’s easy to stick to the same workout you’ve been doing for the last six months, but the coming of a new season is the perfect excuse to make some alterations. New class schedules will start coming out, too, and it may be fun to add one or more of these into the rotation.

You should also think about how the change in weather will affect your preferred workouts and what you can substitute on those days. Does the road you love to run get icy early on? Transition to a new route or the treadmill. Will your regular gym hours be crowded now? Try a bodyweight workout at home or joining a Fall sports league.

Your Hygiene

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As many women can attest, when the weather changes, it can make perfectly controlled skin suddenly dry up or breakout and hair brittle and dull. Anticipate how the Fall season will affect your skin and update your skincare routine accordingly.

You may switch out one product or all of them, but it’s worth it to keep your skin and hair looking beautiful. And if your last visit to the dentist was quite a while ago, replace your toothbrush so those pearly whites can keep impressing.

Your Food

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You’ve gotten into a great rotation when it comes to meal plans, but with the harvested fields come a slew of new delicious foods you don’t want to miss out on.

It’s time to take a quick hour and rehash your go-to recipes. You may choose to add squash to an already amazing meal or go full out with a different meal that compliments the new corn recipe you’ve found on Pinterest.

Your Schedule

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With the new season comes a change in commuter routines and the habits of the general population. Will your favorite coffee shop now be overrun with college students? Will it take 20 more minutes to drive by the elementary school along your normal drive to work?

Now is a good time to think about how you’ll need to adjust your own routine to avoid traffic buildup and busy crowds. But it’s also a good time to map out all your favorite seasonal activities so you can make the most of the corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and football games you love.

But don’t get weighed down by the stress of your current schedule; you can start looking at dates for your next vacation, too! Making your spring or summer plans now will help you and your best friends get through the never-ending winter months.

The post 5 Changes to Make When Summer Turns to Fall appeared first on InstantELLA.

Harvest was an incredible time to ask a girl on a date. There are always amazing events and activities available. But now that the time for corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and haunted houses are behind us, it’s time to find fun ways to enjoy dating this winter.

It is no surprise to many of us that winter is a hard time to plan or go on dates. We get busy during the winter, important holidays come up, and soon it is the new year. Where did the time go, and did we even do anything this winter? It doesn’t have to be this way, however, with a couple of dating ideas, you will find that this miserable and cold winter could bring about great memories.

Christmas Movies

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The norm would say that watching movies on a date would be the worst date scenario, but if you make the right choice of a movie then you never know what could happen. During Christmas, there are plenty of movies that fit the mood of any date. Grab some hot chocolate and pick out a nice movie and get to snuggling, to keep warm of course.

Gingerbread Houses

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There is nothing quite like a situation where you are on a date, and decisions must be made, and no one can make up their mind. When you create gingerbread houses together you and your date’s creativity and imagination come alive. It is fun to see a different side of someone, especially their creative side.

Shopping

Shopping would probably not even make it onto this list, but when you make shopping for one another a game then it can get interesting. Take the example of Stephanie, 21 who went on a date with her boyfriend. Another great idea is to find an organization that is doing a ‘giving tree’ and go out with your date to find what the family or person needs.

Snowball Fights

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If you want to have a date that is more on the friendly competitive side, take your date outside where it is snowing and show them your snowball fighting skills. If you go on a group date, turn a casual snowball fight into an all-out war. Split into teams, where you’re with your date and begin strategizing what you could do to win!

These ideas and many more will turn the holiday season into a year to remember. Just be creative, have fun, and enjoy the time with your date.

The post 4 Super Fun Winter Date Ideas appeared first on InstantELLA.