The holidays are done, you’ve pretty much given up on your New Year’s resolutions, and now February’s cold, dark, blah tentacles are reaching out for you. Don’t let them win!
The February blahs are real and can be a huge downer before the joys of spring appear. Ensure they don’t get you down with our simple tips to avoid the February blahs:
Plan ahead
Make sure you have some fun plans to look forward to, so you can refill your bucket of joy and happiness. Whether it’s a ski trip, a vacation in the Caribbean or weekly gatherings of good friends to feed your soul, plan to have at least one weekly event to keep your blahs looking forward to some entertainment or relaxation time.
Make some “me time”
There are loads of ways to focus on yourself, so pick one or two and commit to paying a bit of attention to yourself each week. Spa days in mid-February are great for restoring your sense of self, inner peace and calm. In turn, all that Zen will help you forge through the rest of the rotten days of February blahs.
Sleep it off
Changing seasons can affect our sleep patterns, so try to get as much rest as you can. If possible, give your alarm clock a rest on weekends and allow your body to wake up naturally when it’s rested and ready. If that’s not an option due to kids or activities, try ensuring your sleep is high quality by banishing electronics from the bedroom or taking a low dose of melatonin.
Stay healthy
In addition to proper sleep, exercise and diet are critical to avoiding those February blahs. Eat healthy foods and avoid all those treats you overindulged in during the holidays that often make you feel sluggish. Many people swear by a February detox to clear out their system. Moving your body is also how your brain gets more positive vibes from endorphins, so try to do some kind of exercise at least a few times each week.
Light it up
Science has proven that many people feel blue or even depressed from a lack of sunshine. It’s easy to bundle up and spend at least twenty minutes outdoors on sunny days, or just sit in the warm glow of a sunny window for a half hour. There are also a number of good electric lights you can buy which are designed specifically to simulate the sun’s type of light source and give you the boost you need to feel brighter.
Try something new
Never had a dance lesson before? Sign up! Been wanting to try that new recipe? Fire up your oven and give it a try! Falling into a slump happens when you continue doing the same old stuff. Shake up your routine in simple, small ways and you’ll feel more energized.
Stay bright
Fashion consultants swear by the power of bright clothing. For real! Push all those dull and sombre blacks, greys and browns to the back of your closet and try wearing your brightest colours and happiest patterns for a quick pick-me-up that you carry around with you all day.
Dare to dream
Start planning your summer vacation or your spring garden. Looking forward to something distracts your mind and senses from the February blahs, so pull out your social media accounts or photo albums and look back on summers-gone-by to inspire your ideas for the one coming up.
The most important part of avoiding February blahs is recognizing when they start to creep in. Remember if you start to feel really overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, you may need to consult with your doctor. Otherwise, try a few of the above tips and before you know it, spring will be knocking on your door.