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Help beat those winter blues by getting active, going outside and embracing many of the outdoor activities to do in the winter.

The third Monday in January is sometimes called the most depressing day of the year. Even if you don't believe that claim, you might still be feeling the winter blues. When you combine that crappy weather with the fact that you're back in school and likely counting down the weeks until spring break, it seems like winter is never going to end.

Not to worry! We've come up with some ways to inject some fun into a boring winter day:

Get Active
There's nothing like an exercise high to beat the blues, and Fanshawe has a great gym right on campus. Memberships are offered at reasonable rates and get you an all-access pass to first-rate gym facilities and a variety of group classes.

Eat Right
Delicious fresh fruit isn't just for summer; winter is the time to munch away on blood oranges, clementines, kiwis, kumquats, pomegranates and more! These fruits contain essential vitamins and minerals that will keep you feeling healthy even if your workouts have slowed down (or, in some cases, come to a halt) after winter break. Check out your local grocery store or head to a specialty food shop like Sunripe Marketplace (744 Adelaide St. N.) to try something new.

Don't Be Les Misérables
Now is the time to catch some of the greatest films of the past year. There are nine movies with Oscar nominations for Best Picture out in theatres and on DVD/Netflicks — how many of them can you watch before February 24? Frontrunners are looking to be Les Misérables, Lincoln, Argo and Silver Linings Playbook!

Refresh Yourself
There's nothing like relaxing and de-stressing at a spa day, but even with a Groupon, a day of pampering can get expensive. A quick Internet search results in a ton of simple at-home spa recipes for things like face masks and body polishes, but here are some of our favourites:

Apple Pie Spa Treatment Skin Polish
So tasty, so simple and so healthy: apples are a powerhouse fruit that contains a ton of potassium and vitamins A and C. They also contain malic acid, an exfoliating enzyme that can help remove dead skin cells and surface dirt — perfect for giving your skin a midwinter boost. For this polish you'll need:
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh apple puree or apple sauce
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Mix all ingredients until well blended. In the shower or bath, apply scrub to skin (but not your face) in a circular motion using a washcloth or loofah. Rinse well. Don't forget to moisturize after!
(From webmd.com)

Smoothing Honey-Almond Mask
Combining the soothing properties of honey and the softening properties of almond oil, this mask will leave your face totally refreshed. Go to your kitchen and grab:
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp almond oil
- 1 tbsp yogurt

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Rub a nice, thick layer on your face and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and gently wipe away residue with a damp cloth.
(From maddieruud.hubpages.com)

Embrace The Cold
We've had a pretty mild winter so far this year, but when those cold snaps do arrive, there is a ton of outdoor winter fun to be had in the Forest City. Visit Boler Mountain (689 Griffith St.) for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Head there on a Wednesday with student I.D. for discounts: $20 for a four-hour lift ticket and rentals for $20 as well!

If you just want to get out on the ice, the free outdoor rinks in Victoria Park and at the Covent Garden Market are the perfect place to skate on a chilly day.

The return of the NHL may be bittersweet, but remember how much fun going to a game in Toronto or Detroit can be? Even getting a group of friends together on a Saturday night to embrace some on-ice action with a few rounds of beers can prove to be an awesome night. Don't forget about how amazing the London Knights are doing, either — join thousands of fans at Budweiser Gardens to cheer on the OHL's top team.