snowboots and ice-skatesWinter is not a fun time to date.  On the coldest of days you might not feel like going anywhere or doing anything.  You’re bundled up in your warmest, perhaps least sexy-feeling clothes and have hat hair.  So how do you break out of the winter dating funk?

Here are some tips to make your winter dating experience a little brighter.

Tell your friends.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help from those who love you. There’s a feeling of trust that comes from meeting your friends’ friends. It can be scary to tell people that you’re looking for love, but 39% of people report meeting their mate through friends. Asking for what you want inspires courage that you can apply to other areas of your life.

Be present.  Ever stand in line at the grocery store and peruse your Facebook page?  Try to avoid any distractions that make you look busy or unavailable. Be friendly and open to the possibility of meeting someone organically. Being friendly to strangers isn’t a guarantee that you will meet the love of your life, but it does increase happiness.

Wear something that makes you feel good.  Even on the coldest day you can wear something that brings you joy, makes you feel great, or just looks good on you.  Wear some slinky underwear, put on your favorite scarf in that color that makes your eyes pop, or wear some super cool socks.  Even though nobody else may see these things, you’ll know they are there and they make you feel great. That kind of awesome shows up when others see you.

Make a date with yourself.  No plans this Thursday?  Go out by yourself. It’s a great way to meet people because you aren’t distracted by another person.  If you are uncomfortable sitting in a coffee shop or bar alone, do something you truly enjoy like ice skating, hitting up a wine tasting, taking a cooking class, or going to trivia night.  Investing in yourself helps you feel more confident, vibrant, and self-actualized—a great foundation on which to build a relationship.

Embrace being bundled up. There are two reasons why this is important. One, being bundled up brings out a human’s tender instincts. Translation? Nobody looks sexy in winter wear, but everyone looks cute!  Two, embrace the idea that you may have to sacrifice some style for warmth. If you are warm, comfortable and at-ease with what you are wearing, you’ll exude attractiveness. Nothing is more sexy than someone who is comfortable in their own skin.

Andrea wants to live in a world where the neighborhoods are walkable, bike lanes are plentiful, and the food is fresh, delicious and readily available. A 20-year veteran of the health and wellness industry, she started her career in the fitness industry while earning a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and then on to the burgeoning field of worksite wellness. Andrea has competed in collegiate level soccer, worked as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, wellness coach, and master trainer, climbed 14ers, and completed cycling centuries and metric centuries. All of these experiences give her the opportunity to view well-being from many different perspectives. When she’s not helping others to be their healthiest self, you can find her at a farm to table restaurant, down dogging at the yoga studio, or experiencing the Colorado landscape on a bicycle, snowshoes, cross country skis or on foot.