How to Be Productive at Home This Winter

We still have about two months of winter, and the temperatures have been dropping recently.

Whether you get ice, snow, or simply colder weather, this season can make it difficult to leave the house and get stuff done.

I know I don’t want to brave single-degree weather to go grocery shopping or run errands!

But frigid days don’t mean life stops, and you have to sit at home doing nothing.

Rather, winter allows us to tackle that to-do list we’ve been avoiding and get stuff done around the house. Or, you can get creative and accomplish other projects you wouldn’t typically have time for!

If you’re not sure how to spend your time shut inside, here are 15 fun and productive things to do at home on cold days:

1. Meal Plan

One of the most productive things we can do is prepare for the future, and what better way to do that than through meal prepping?

Use your extra time at home to create a weekly menu, prepare healthy snacks to have on hand, and cook meals that can be frozen.

If you don’t know where to start or need guidance, check out our meal prep video training guide! It’s a collection of over 120 video recipes showing how to make meals that simplify Clean Eating. 

2. Read

What’s cozier than curling in front of a fire with a good book on a cold day?

Daily reading can significantly increase your productivity, creativity, and mental well-being, no matter your preference! So, now is a great time to take on that growing to-read list and enjoy some great stories.  

3. Organize Your Pantry

Is your kitchen messy or cluttered? Turn on music and organize your pantry, cabinets, fridge, and freezer.

Throw out expired canned goods and foods, and get rid of cracked, rusted, worn-out containers and pots and pans.

Check out this post for more: How to Set Up Your Pantry for Clean Eating Success!

4. Clean Closets

Now that you’re in a cleaning mood, head to the closets! Pull out clothes that don’t fit, or you just don’t wear anymore and set them aside to get rid of.

You can try selling them second-hand somewhere or donate them.

Then organize the remaining clothes in whatever way you prefer, be it by occasion, article of clothing, color, or something completely different!

5. Exercise 

There are many ways to get outside in the winter, but I completely understand not wanting to.

So, get your blood flowing by utilizing an exercise DVD or YouTube video, following an online yoga tutorial, or doing a simple body-weight workout!

6. Meditate

Meditation, a mindfulness practice to focus your mind, find peace, and calm your body, can be done in many ways and has several health benefits.

Check out our guide to meditation for more on this exercise, reasons to practice, and how it can benefit your life! 

7. Self Care

Practicing self care is vital no matter the weather, but many of us need it more this time of year to help fight the winter blues.

Unfortunately, finding the time to do so can be challenging!

While you’re waiting out the frigid temperatures, take time for yourself to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health. 

8. Pick up a Hobby

Let your creative side out by exploring new hobbies!

Try painting, playing an instrument, knitting or sewing, woodworking, scrapbooking, or really any new hobby you find interesting.

9. Create a Budget

This might sound boring, but having a good budget is important!

Sit down, either by yourself or with your partner, and go over your finances so you can come up with a budget that works for your household.

10. Bake

Baking taps into your creativity, too! Scroll through our dessert recipes on the CleanFoodCrush blog and save a few you want to try.

These can be treats for you and your family, or you can give them to friends and neighbors!

11. Start a Journal

Journaling is good for your body, mind, and heart, whether it’s a health journal, productivity journal, gratitude journal, dream journal, or simply a personal diary.

This can be an act of self care or meditation and may also help further your health goals. So, pull out one of those empty journals you never use and start writing!

12. Challenge Your Brain

You’re never too old to learn something new! Utilize the endless resources online and learn a new language, such as ASL or Spanish, or teach yourself how to dance. Also, challenge your brain by doing puzzles or learning a new game like chess or sudoku.

13. Write Letters

When was the last time you received or wrote a handwritten letter? Take some time to sit down and write a letter to a loved one! It’s a simple act that will brighten their day.

14. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

If you have kids at home going stir-crazy, get creative and come up with an indoor scavenger hunt for them to do! It’s a fun activity to engage your children in and make memories as a family.

15. Movie Night or Game Night

After a long day of scavenger hunts, meal prepping, exercising, and practicing self care, come together as a family and wind down by having a movie night or game night.

Light a fire, make some hot cocoa, and turn on that movie you’ve wanted to see or play the new board game you got for Christmas!

You may love winter, or this may be your least favorite time of year, but there are several ways to make it memorable, fun, and productive!

Fill your time with positivity and the opportunity to transform what might be a less-than-ideal situation into something fantastic.

Have other ideas for what to do at home this winter? Drop them in the comments below! 

The post How to Be Productive at Home This Winter first appeared on Clean Food Crush.

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