When the weather seems endlessly cold, wet, grey and depressing at this time of year it can be tempting to look for a trip away. Many people will be dreaming of a winter escape, perhaps heading to balmy beaches for some sunshine or taking a ski trip.
However, this is not achievable for many people, and in these austere times we need to find ways to escape the doldrums of the winter season without breaking the bank. Even staycations are not an option for all in the UK and travelling in winter can be less than pleasant.
So, here are a few ideas of ways to explore without having to face travel in the winter. Whether you want to get your winning streak on with bingo or get creative in the kitchen, here are five things that you can do at home to brighten up your days.
Explore your local area
Look at a map or check out public transport options and see what you can visit and explore on your doorstep. During the Covid pandemic, many people realised they had a lot more to see and do, especially outdoors, close to their homes.
You could head to a park you’ve never visit before, look for a new walk or take on a challenge, such as bagging trigs on local hills.
How about going for a walk or bike ride at night, using a bright light or headtorch, to experience a regular outing but after dark? Choose a night with a bright moon to make the experience more enjoyable.
Or get up in time for a sunrise, or head to a local hill for sunset. There is so much to explore locally if you think more imaginatively.
Explore your luck
Play bingo at home. Some people enjoy the thrill of playing bingo with the best uk bingo sites. Online bingo works the same way as physical bingo, and you can even get involved in chatting with other players which makes it more social.
All you need to do is find your favourite site, sign up for an account, and make a deposit – then you can get involved with big money bingo games and have the excitement of the possibility of a big money win.
If you want to get the travel bug, then you can play games that have an exotic theme – like beaches and rainforests. There is something there for everyone!
Explore your body
When the day outside is grey and miserable, you can give yourself a dose of dopamine by doing some form of exercise.
We have a world of free or paid-for resources at our fingertips thanks to the internet, so why not look for something new to try?
Try an on-line workout or look for something more mindful. For something a bit more fun, why not get the whole family involved in a dance workout? These are often set to chart music, but you can find ballroom and Latin dance workouts, hip hop workouts, and even ballet so there is something for everyone.
Not only will you be getting that wonderful post-exercise happiness boost, but you will also be getting healthier and fitter too.
Explore your mind
Staying at home is not always the best way to spend your time, especially if you are feeling a bit lonely – so why not get social with friends and family while also showing off your knowledge?
We have all had the “fun” of video calling, but there are ways to get together with friends and family without resorting to Zoom – and an online quiz game is an excellent way for you to be social from the comfort of your own home.
There are different versions of online quiz games that you can play. Some of them require the download of an app, while others can be played directly from the internet. For the best results, look for one that makes use of smartphones as a controller or one that you can stream to the TV so that everyone can get involved.
Explore different cuisines
Just because you don’t want to physically travel doesn’t mean that you can’t explore new places. Why not get your chef hat on and try cooking something new from a different country?
Many local supermarkets have a large range of different ethnic ingredients available, which means that you could potentially eat your way around the world without having to leave your home town.
Choose a country and look for their traditional foods. Not just their dinner choices, or what they might have for breakfast, but also their preferred snacks, sweet treats, and drinks. Get the family involved and eat like you live in your chosen country for the entire day – this is a really interactive activity that can have some surprising results and is a great learning tool too. Exploring doesn’t always have to be a physical activity.