Baby, it’s cold outside!

Are you one of the millions of Americans driven indoors by one frigid Arctic blast after another?

Sure, anybody can weather the storm with Netflix and a pile of books and magazines.

But, what are some other ways to brave cabin fever? (Other than being very appreciative of the fact that one does, in fact, have a warm place to call home.)

Here are some of my favorites:

1) Adopt a glass-half-full approach. Remember, It could always be colder! Check out these YouTube videos of Irkutsk and Oymyakon, Siberia, two of the coldest inhabited cities in the world!

The bone chilling winds. The torrential snowstorms. The stalling autos. The fear of frozen pipes and frostbitten fingers.

Just getting bundled up to do some errands can prove a Herculean task when January temperatures of -40F are commonplace!

Check out these videos of Irkutsk and Oymyakon, Siberia, in the middle of winter!

(And, no, jokesters, it’s not Minneapolis. Or Detroit. Or Buffalo. Or Pittsburgh.)

2.) Try a new yoga workout.

Something invigorating, like vinyasa flow, can be great for stoking flailing internal fires while the frigid temperatures and ice rage out-of-doors.

Or, if you prefer to make winter a time of introspection, enjoy a yin or restorative-style class. Plenty are available online!

3.) Attack clutter with a vengeance.

We all accumulate stuff we don’t use. Could a certain closet or a corner or a drawer use some attention? Have you been putting it off forever? Put on your favorite music and take stock of that mess!

Would somebody you know be able to use some of the items? Could you donate some to charity? Cleaning can be very liberating!

4.) Ever wanted to learn a foreign language? Carpe diem!

Have you always wanted to learn Spanish, French or Portuguese?

Now’s the time! You can find a number of little to low-cost language-learning resources online or at your local library. Plus, you can always dream about taking a vacation! Pristine, aquamarine waters and tapas? Yes, please!

5.) Catch up with friends and family who live far away.

Pick up the phone and give your nearest and dearest a call and say hi.

Bonus points if they live somewhere warm, like California, Nevada or Arizona and can regale you with tales of green grass or warm sand!

6.) Try some new recipes.

Get creative in the kitchen. Is there a certain recipe you’d like to try but never seemed to be able to find the time? Hot and hearty meals, like soups, are especially welcome.

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Editor: Rachel Nussbaum

Photo: Flickr: Fylkesarkivet i Sogn og Fjordane