When it's cold out, the sky is dreary, and snow or rain hits the Seattle area, your mind often wanders to spring, summer, and the warmer times ahead. If you let these winter doldrums get the best of you, you're in for a long winter that's miserable and unenjoyable. However, Seattle offers plenty of ways to fight the sadness of the season, both outdoors and indoors. The next time you're feeling blue, try a few of these winter activities throughout the Seattle area.

Take the Polar Bear Plunge

Each year on New Year's Day, hundreds of brave souls muster up the courage to dive into 48-degree waters at Lake Washington. Known as the Polar Bear Plunge, this event is a surefire way to shake off a New Year's Eve hangover or launch your New Year's resolutions. Participants meet at Matthews Park, and the plunge is free, except for the loss of feeling in your extremities.

Become Part of the Twelfth Man

Whether you're new to Seattle or lived here for some time, you know just how important football is to the city. Also known as the Twelfth Man, Seattle Seahawks fans create such an opus of cheering and noise that it often distracts their opponents, resulting in poor play calling, penalties, and other mistakes. The best part is that you can take an active part in the mayhem just by purchasing a ticket. Throughout December and usually far into January, the Seahawks have eight home games, giving you more than a few chances to participate.

Winterfest

For five weeks from November through the end of the year, the Seattle Center Winterfest invites guests to share in the holiday spirit with affordable activities for all ages. Some of the most popular events include outdoor ice skating, Christmas carolers, artistic performances from local schools, and live ice sculpting presentations. Fresh, delicious food from local chefs and warm beverages are also available throughout the duration of the event.

Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival

If you're longing for some live music during the winter, Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival is just what you need. Taking place in Leavenworth, this festival is one of the premier musical events of the year, inviting guests and musical artists from Seattle, the Northwest, and around the country. A single day pass is $40 and a weekend pass is $75. If you plan on staying for the entire weekend, Leavenworth has four hotels that offer deals just by mentioning that you're attending Timbrrr!. The next event takes place January 26 and 27, 2018.

Children's Film Festival

Your little ones are particularly susceptible to boredom when it's cold outside, making the Children's Film Festival the ideal destination. From January 25 through February 10, this festival shows over 150 children's films from 40 countries. Not only does it provide them with entertainment, but it also exposes them to new languages and cultures that they wouldn't experience anywhere else. Don't get cabin fever this winter. Instead, head out the door and enjoy everything that Seattle has to offer during the season. Image by hans, used under CCO 1.0