10 ways to beat the winter blues in Toronto
Winter is here, and you might be tempted to stay in bed and wallow in the winter blues, but there are places all around this great city that can help lift your spirit. Take a look and find your happy place!
Te Aro Coffee Inc
983 Queen St E, Toronto ON M4M 1K2Caffeinate: A daily dose of caffeine can help reduce stress and the added energy can help you start your day off on the right foot. Try sipping on some steamy happiness at Te Aro where coffee is an art-form. Located in Leslieville, Te Aro is all about providing dreary commuters with their daily perk. The coffee shop serves a double-shot of beautiful and delicious espresso-based mocktails in a welcoming atmosphere that’s almost guaranteed to put you in a good mood for the rest of the morning.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
45 Esandar Drive, Toronto ON M4G 4C5Sweat: Everyone knows that as little as 30 minutes of exercise can radically boost your mood, but who wants to toil at the gym in front of strangers when Netflix and pjs are waiting at home? Luckily, TO offers lots of fun ways to get in a workout – and Sky Zone’s trampoline fitness classes are among my favourite. That’s right, the trampoline park’s Skyrobics classes are low-impact so anyone can join in. While you’re having a blast literally bouncing off the walls, you’ll also be burning hundreds of calories and having the time of your life.
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St W, Toronto ON M5T 1G4Release your inner creative genius: The act of creative expression is a wonderful way to improve mental health, and you don’t need to be an accomplished or even a talented artist to enroll in the art courses offered by the AGO. The introductory courses offered include drawing, painting, sculpture, and “everything” (if you feel like dabbling in a bit of each!) as well as more off-the-wall subjects such as experimental comics and make-your-own-puppet classes. Classes are held once a week for four to eight weeks, depending on the subject. Try it out – you might surprise yourself!
Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen St W, Toronto ON M6J 1G3Eat Healthy: Now, don’t think I’m suggesting an entire dietary overhaul. We all love our pizza and cheesecake. But making healthy choices as often as possible will up your overall health and your mood. And let's face it, it's much easier to choose the healthier option when that option is delicious, and trust us, Fresh definitely fits the bill. With multiple locations throughout the city, Fresh has an out-of-this-world vegan menu that even meat lovers will drool over. Their chipotle bacon burger takes you back to the real deal minus the spare tire. Come hungry and leave happy.
Comedy Bar
945 Bloor St W, Toronto ON M6H 1L5Laugh: Comedy Bar is an affordable indie comedy club that offers it all: stand-up, improv, music, puppets, and perogies! Once you’ve discovered this Bloorcourt gem, you’ll be hooked. Their comfort-inspiring pub fare and a relaxed atmosphere alone will lift your spirits, while the performers – ranging from up-and-coming comedians to big names like Eddie Izzard and Russell Howard – will push you over the edge into sheer hilarity.
Stillwater Spa
4 Avenue Rd, Toronto ON M5R 2E8Pamper Yourself: Taking the time to take care of yourself is a great way of resetting your mood by refreshing your body. The Stillwater Spa in the Annex’s Park Hyatt Hotel offers everything you need to get back to your happy place, including massages, facials, mani-pedis, waxing, haircuts – even prosecco! You can go for a single service or spend the day and treat yourself from head to toe.
TOT The Cat Cafe
298 College St, Toronto ON M5T 1R9Cuddle: Did you know that cuddling increases oxytocin, reduces stress and improves mood? Well, not all of us have that special someone to cling to, and asking a stranger to hold you might not be the best idea. Luckily, TOT The Cat Café hosts a cat room where you can provide the staff with ample belly rubs (the non-human ones at least). Visits are limited to 30 minutes – and although you might arrive alone and in need of a cuddle, you could end up leaving with a new friend; the cats are all available for adoption.
