Happy Dancing Blog

Each year, I eagerly anticipate the days growing shorter, the hush that falls over the land as the trees lose their leaves, the animals going quiet, and the first frosty white flakes falling from the sky. Winter is by far my favorite season.

As winter settles in, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors. Shorter days and colder temperatures can make it harder to get outside, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose our connection to nature. In fact, even small doses of nature, brought indoors or found close to home offer meaningful benefits for our minds. Studies continue to show that interacting with nature, even in small ways, supports emotional resilience  throughout the winter months. Research shows

Welcome to winter! It’s the middle of January, and we are in the Upper Midwest. Temperatures are hovering around freezing and most days we don’t see much sunshine. When we ask “What should we do?” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably not “go outside”!

It's the perfect moment to pause and reconsider our constant companionship with screens. Those endless notifications and quick scrolls can quietly steal away from the warmth of real conversations and shared laughs, leaving us feeling more scattered than serene. Intentionally setting aside our devices, creating digital distance, can help us rediscover the simple joy of being fully present.

The holiday season brings excitement, nostalgia, and stress. Stress fueled by shopping lists, clutter, and pressure to find “the perfect gift.” But many families are rediscovering what this time of year should be about. Instead of accumulating more stuff, people are prioritizing experiences, handmade gifts, sustainability, and meaningful togetherness.

The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. It’s when we gather with friends and family, share delicious meals, exchange gifts, and hopefully slow down to appreciate the year behind us. But let’s be honest, that’s not always how it feels and those “grinchy” feelings seem to keep expanding. Let's improve this.

Although volunteering brings a wealth of positive returns for both the cause and the volunteers themselves, the hurdles to participating are real.