How to beat the Winter Blues
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- Published on Thursday, 02 August 2012 13:20
- Written by Dashalia Singaram
In the months June to August, Cape Town is transformed from the beautiful, kind Mother City we love into a temperamental and cruel Mother-in-law City.
The month ahead might make you feel as though you’re sitting through the second half of Twilight – all you really want to do is sleep – but FOMO will force you to brave it in the hope that something good will happen. With this in mind Varsity has put together a guide to conquering the winter blues.
1. Keep warm, inside and out
No matter what you think when you’re getting dressed in the morning, you can never wear too many layers. This way, when the outer layers get sopping wet you can shed them and not freeze to death. When clothes simply do not help, find yourself a few friends and a warm, cosy pub.
Pubs are ideal in winter, and whether it’s beer or brandy, find yourself a liquid blanket for those winter nights. Mitchell’s Pub at the Waterfront is a great place to keep warm and lighten up the frigid winter mood. After a few pints of Old Wobbly, winter (and everything else) will be a distant memory.
2. Shop the Sales
While the rest of South Africa is nearing the end of winter, triggering end-of-winter sales, Cape Town is nowhere near the end of the chilly season. This may seem like one for the girls, but, judging from the flood of skinny jeans and loafers on campus, it’s safe to assume the guys will be equally enthused by a Jay Jay’s Knitwear sale.
3. Double up on the D’s
Whether it’s physiologically or psychologically, a lack of sunshine can really be a wet blanket on the soul. The sunshine during a Cape winter is much like Britain’s success at Wimbledon: sporadic and short-lived. So keep an eye out; when you see a few rays breaking through the ever-present clouds, soak up as much Vitamin D as you can. It may be a few minutes or a few hours, but a little warmth on the skin does wonders. And if it doesn’t, let it be a reminder of the warm summer days spent on the Jammie steps and something to look forward to.
4. Don’t fight Mother Nature
In a battle between you and bad weather you will lose nine times out of ten. On the really bad days, it’s best to just roll with the rain and thunder. Winter makes the best movie-days and when it’s absolutely impossible to be productive, you can indulge without feeling guilty. Popcorn, bed and hours of mindless series: the student version of playing hide-and-seek… with Mother Nature.
It might not seem like it but I’m told that winter does NOT last forever. Stay strong, and if all else fails, get yourself a Slanket (a gigantic fleece blanket with sleeves). As with Crocs, you may look like a fool, but at least you’ll be comfy.