It’s that time of year where it’s wet, cold and everything and everyone is just a little bit miserable. It’s the longest stretch of time before the weather starts getting nice again and it’s just going to get worse for the months to come. It’s a lot to take in, but that doesn’t mean that these months have to pass by with dread and depression! Take it upon yourself to make the best of a bad situation and have a great time staying inside and doing some things that will absolutely benefit your emotional state.

Learn to cook your favourite foods

You’re already inside and locked into a night of watching Netflix in your pyjamas, so why not run to the store quick, buy some turmeric and peppers, and learn how to make curry like you’ve always wanted? Cooking is a great way to be productive (since you can always make large batches and have food to eat for the week!) and it’s also a great way to be creative. Not only that, but standing in front of a warm oven or stove will feel great compared to being chilly in your living room. The best part? The cooking knowledge you gain by working will be with you forever after!

Be productive!

Whether you have some work assignment you can finish up on your laptop or a hamper full of dirty laundry you can do, there’s always some way you can be productive in your own home. Days where it’s rainy and gross out are the best ones for you to stretch your productivity muscles and get things done, because if you finish all your chores when it sucks out, you can feel completely guilt-less about going out when it’s nice! Bad weather sucks, but if you ignore it and get stuff done, you’ll end up feeling a lot better in the long run.

Listen to the rain

There’s not many more things better than turning off all your electronics, lighting a candle or two and listening to the rain. There’s nothing quite like hearing the watery taps on your window or the splashes of puddles when you’re cozy and comfortable under a duvet, sipping some tea. It’s always great to take some time out of your day to unwind and relax, and stormy weather is some of the most soothing, meditative stuff for de-stressing after a busy day.