It happens every year; the holiday rush is over, the short, cold days of winter start to seem endless, and you come down with a major case of the winter blahs. You know the winter blahs, right? It's cold outside and there are no big events in the immediate future to look forward to, so you spend your free time glued to your couch in your most comfortable pair of sweatpants. Okay, maybe this doesn't happen to all of you, but I know for me it's an annual experience.

Having a case of the winter blahs can be made all the worse by the fact that your significant other isn't around to help pull you out of this funk. It can be challenging for sure, but here are some tips that will help you get over the blahs, and enjoy all that this season has to offer:

- Enjoy the weather. Let's face it — it's cold outside. Instead of hoping that if you ignore the weather it will go away, get outside and make the best of it. During visits with your significant other, go skating, skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. If you're not with your partner, grab a friend and check out a winter festival. Doing things in the winter that you can only do when it's cold outside will help you be more accepting of the less-than-pleasant weather.

- Enjoy the indoors. Maybe you're not the type to strap on the skis and go. Instead, try making the most of your time spent indoors. Make a nice hot drink (white hot chocolate, anyone?), curl up under a fuzzy blanket and watch your favourite movie. Better yet, do this while you have time with your partner. Enjoying the fact that this sort of weather necessitates warm blankets and hot chocolate will make those cold, dark days have at least a small silver lining.

- Look forward to spring. Maybe you're planning a trip for March Break, maybe your relationship will no longer be long distance once the winter semester is finished or maybe you just really love patio season. Whatever it is, most people have something exciting to look forward to come spring, and focusing on that will serve to get you over the winter blahs and make the time go by faster until the nice weather comes again. Plan out a trip itinerary, get all your prep work done for moving or research the newest patios opening up in town when everything thaws. Having something specific to look forward to will serve as a reminder that there is an end point to this slushy, messy season.

I hope that these tips will help you all to have a lovely, enjoyable winter, even if your significant other can't be there to keep you warm every day.