Wake up, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee! It’s time to come out of hibernation and see Mother Nature. The sun is finally out, the snow is finally melting and rain means it’s almost time to see green again.

Being stuck indoors for several months has probably slowed your cognitive ability some, but no worries. This list of things to do now that it’s warmer out should provide the jumpstart you need to appreciate spring.

Exercise.
The first one is obvious. You look like you put on a little bit of a winter coat. Don’t worry, we all did. But if you skipped spring break, shedding the few extra pounds wasn’t on your to do list.

Well, it is now. The earlier you start, the easier it’ll be when the weather get’s really nice.

Go for a jog down by the lake when it’s really nice. Take a stroll down a path or two at Lake Park. Roller blade or bike to class instead of taking the bus. If you are one of those people who complain about the cold weather of winter but still take the bus when it’s nice out, shame on you.

I propose a new rule of thumb: If you live within 6 blocks of campus, you should be walking when it’s nice out. Exercise, even in the littlest amount, releases endorphins that make you happy, so get to it.

Eat out. Literally.
You may need to wait a week or two for this to actually work, but start looking for places that offer outdoor dining. Café Hollander on Downer Avenue or La Fuente on South 5th Street are great places to start.

You can also start thinking about hitting up any of your favorite coffee places, too. Alterra is always a good choice, and their new location on Humboldt is well worth a visit. Plenty of bars offer outdoor areas, too, such as Bar Louis on Water Street.

Be lazy outside.
Set up a hammock (if you can) outside and nap out there. Read a book on your porch or do your nails on your steps. Any activity you can do outside you should try. Bring a friend and gossip. Just get out of the stale air of your living establishment and get some fresh air.

Fire up the grill.
It’s time to start thinking about getting your friends together for your big weekend (or weekday) cookouts. Get a little game of something or other going: Frisbee, football, beanbag tossing or stringed golf ball tossing (what the hell do you call those games?). Instead of doing this all in your front yard, put a spin on it and go to a beach or park. You need all the green space and free roaming atmosphere after being confined to your claustrophobic dwelling. This coincides with exercise, too.

So, now that you have a small list of ideas of what to do, you should probably start thinking about doing them. I’m sure you will think of your own, unique plans to implement as well, and to that I say go nuts. After all, you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life a little more now that your life isn’t threatened by snow. For example, walking. So go and play. Make it like an extended recess.

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