Beating back the January blues

Trust us, it’s not just you. January is scientifically proven to be the most depressing month of the year. In spirit of sticking it to your seasonal depression, Weekend has compiled the seven most surefire ways to make the best of your January.

1. Develop a committed relationship with your Netflix account
We’re all college students, so this may have already occurred. But if you haven’t, start making the most of the account probably paid for by your best friend’s cousin’s dad.
Not only does the streaming empire hold countless critically acclaimed and award-winning movies, but Netflix now produces some of the finest “television” out there.
Catch up on season one of “House of Cards” before the new season debuts next month, or finally watch “Orange is the New Black” because it’s as great as everyone says.

2. Go work out at the SRSC
We know, we know. It sounds like a horrible New Year’s resolution you don’t intend to keep. But if you stick with it for two weeks, we promise you’ll actually come to enjoy a few workouts a week.
Plus, it’s a completely free, full gym at your service. All you have to do is show up and present your student ID to physically take out your winter anger on a treadmill or rowing machine.

3. Use your two free CAPS appointments
Just by being a student at IU, you can keep winter depression at bay by using the two free counseling sessions provided by Counseling and Psychological Services when you’ve paid your student health fee. We aren’t saying you need to start seeing a counselor on a regular basis, but two free hours to talk to someone about whatever it is that’s getting you down? Sign us up.

4. Try a new recipe
We don’t mean to sound like a Pinterest post, but trying new things in the kitchen can be really fun.
You can even make a night of it and invite all your friends over for a big, family-style dinner. Just remember to keep it simple because you aren’t Julia Child.
You aren’t even Martha Stewart. Stick to the recipe and see what wonders you can create without boiling water for Ramen noodles.

5. Go to a restaurant in Bloomington you’ve never been to before
Bloomington is a hot spot for great restaurants, but you’re only human so you surely haven’t been to all of them. Hop on Urbanspoon or Yelp to figure out which hidden gems you’ve been missing out on for all these years and try them out.
Chipotle and Jimmy John’s are great and all, but you can get them almost anywhere. Take advantage of the non-franchise Bloomington eateries while you still have the chance.

6. Sleep
It seems basic and something we shouldn’t have to tell you to do, but just sleep. Have a break in between classes? Sleep. Don’t have class until noon? Sleep. You can miss up to eight of your French classes? Sleep.
It’s something your body physically needs, and you won’t be your best self if you keep yourself up every night until 3 a.m.
So whether you can build it into your schedule or you prefer to take cat naps on a whim, take full advantage of everyone’s second-favorite horizontal pastime.

7. Treat yourself to that extra cup of coffee (or glass of wine)
There’s nothing better for the soul than treating it to the things you enjoy.
Instead of limiting yourself to one cup of coffee in the morning and one glass of wine at night, let the liquid love flow.
They both warm the soul during these frigid winter months. While a polar vortex may blow outside, you can be inside, curled up under a blanket with multiple drinks of your choice.