Whether you have been indoors too long, or you are simply tired of cold air and gray skies, try these suggestions to give an ordinary day some extra zing!

1.  Put on your walk-man or iPod or and listen to some great music–something with a good beat that makes you want to move!  Then, move!  Dance around the house and have fun!  This is a great mood-lifter and also a bit of a workout.  If you have small children or pets, don’t be surprised if they join you, even if they can’t hear your music.

2. Call someone that you miss.  It’s harder to socialize and visit face to face when we have bad road conditions and colder temperatures.  Call a friend or family member and chat, chat, chat.  You might need to set up a time in advance so that you don’t impose on your friend’s schedule.  (Normally, I am more of a card-sender, but hearing the voice of a friend or family member–her laugh, the smile in her voice–well, it is the next best thing to sharing coffee and visiting in person.

3.  Get in the kitchen and whip up a sugar scrub.  This is pretty simple.  Try mixing 1 cup of white (or raw) sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil and a few drops of essential oil in an aroma you like.  If you don’t have essential oil, you can  use lemon juice or a few drops of perfume.  Mix and then in the bath or shower, massage the scrub into dry skin.  This scrub provides a gentle massage, great exfoliation, and an invigorating scent!

4.  Go outside.  Okay.  I know it’s dangerously cold, but try going out just for a couple of minutes.  Get bundled up and walk five minutes outdoors.  Get the mail.  Take a couple of snapshots of the winter snow-scape.  You’ll be glad you did.  Pretend you went sledding down a big hill–you get the same rush from the cold, crisp air.

5.  Make some fancy hot chocolate drinks.  Get the good cocoa.  Heat up the milk.  Spray the whipped cream or sprinkle on the marshmallows.  Grate some good chocolate to sprinkle on top.  Use cinnamon sticks in your tea.  Add a new flavored creamer to your coffee.  Serve it all up in special mugs. Make the hot drinks of the season part of a special winter afternoon’s ritual.

Have a Blessed Sunday!