Most people who have spent any portion of their life in a climate with cold, long winter seasons are probably familiar with the “February Blues.” They come at that time of year when we begin to feel just so fed up with the harshness of winter, the early sunset and sludge-covered streets, and we yearn for warmer weather. While for some, these feelings may be signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a more disabling psychological problem, for most of us this is just be a normal response to the dragging winter months. Either way, the February Blues can be very unpleasant and hard to overcome.
Here are some tips on how to combat them:
As difficult as it might be to have a cheerful conversation with your mom over the phone or laugh at a joke on TV when you’re feeling down, push yourself to do it anyway. One of the biggest challenges of feeling unhappy is that we tend to get caught in a vicious cycle of isolating ourselves at home without any form of entertainment or distraction. This is in part because the more we sit around alone, the more discouraged and withdrawn we tend to feel, and with that can come feelings of apathy and unhappiness. As difficult as it can be, we have to break the cycle! Start small with an activity that takes minimal effort, like playing a song from your favorite Broadway show or re-reading your favorite book, and take note of how much better and more motivated you begin to feel!
I know that you’ve probably heard this one before, and that’s because it’s true! Making healthy food choices that nourish both your body and your soul can improve your overall health and well-being. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t all indulge from time to time, but be sure to try to strike the right balance. So many winter recipes are heavy on carbs and fat and those can definitely be appealing when we’re feeling down, but try your best to integrate fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and protein whenever possible.
With the joyous holiday season behind us, many people experience a feeling of letdown and even some depression. No doubt this is part of what makes February such a tough month to get through. Planning something fun and exciting to look forward to can help improve your mood and make you feel better. Whether it be getting a jump start on planning a summer vacation or organizing a get together with friends to share a meal some time in the near future, with just a little thought I’m sure you can choose something that you know will make you feel good! Be sure to include people who will help lift your spirits and who will bring a positive outlook to whatever you plan to do together. Having something to look forward to, as well as the task of planning it, will keep your mind occupied on something positive. Having a plan for something fun will make you feel much better.
During warm-weather months, we often are so busy with various activities and social events that some must-do tasks get forgotten. If you find yourself stuck indoors or otherwise with some extra time on your hands during the less active month of February, it’s the perfect opportunity to work on accomplishing one of those tasks. There’s nothing like that good feeling of achieving a task! Focusing on something productive so that you can cross it off your to-do list can be a relief and you’ll likely feel more motivated to move on to another one.
These tips are just a few things that we can all do to help improve our moods and avoid or confront those February Blues. Remember, it’s just a matter of weeks until daylight lasts longer, the air feels warmer and the sounds of birds return. The sunshine seems brighter and we will all feel a little more positive. Until then, give these ideas a try in order to make the most of what’s left of winter! For more tips or to share a technique that works well for you, email me at [email protected].
By Kira Batist-Wigod, LCSW, MPS-H
Kira Batist-Wigod is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in New York City. She works at Montefiore Medical Group where she does clinical therapy with clients from all walks of life. Kira also sees clients in her private practice on the Upper West Side of NYC.
Contact Kira by e-mail at [email protected].
