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5 Tips to Help Get Through February
Congratulations! You've made it through Valentine's Day! Now comes the toughest part of Winter - the last six weeks! We're still not getting enough sunshine to naturally boost our moods and the ups and downs on the thermometer outside can play havoc on our emotions.
Hang in there! It will be Spring before you know it! In the meantime, one (or all) of these tips might help you get through the February Blahs!
Tip #1 - Spoil yourself... just a little!
Let's face it! We have been a little harder on ourselves than usual. Indulging over the holidays has left us with a few extra pounds and a little less money in our wallets. Right around this time, we start to berate ourselves on how we should be better at losing weight or saving money. Be deliberate and spoil yourself with the gift of time. Sit and read a book tonight after dinner, have a cup of tea with a friend, go for a walk around the block.
Tip #2 - Make time to be in ideal awareness.
"You were designed to be in ideal awareness. It isn’t a mystical state or a domain open only to the enlightened few." – Deepak Chopra, MD
Deepak Chopra describes our ability to off-set our changing emotions that result from from overload and perceived threat in his article Healing Awareness in Times of Distress. He describes ideal awareness as a homeostasis - or stable equilibrium - where we feel centred and quiet inside. It's hard to find this state of mind when we are constantly busy with work, family, financial responsibility, health issues, social events, social media... the list goes on. Meditation, yoga or Reiki are great ways to quiet yourself inside, but so is Tip #1.
Tip #3 - Reflect and make a plan.
Now is a great time to step off the hamster wheel and ask yourself, "What do I need today?" Keep it simple (read Tip #1 again)! We can't all jump on a plane and go down south for a week. Imagine your perfect life. A life without limitations. Think of one small action that will put the wheels in motion to help you get there. Then make that action a reality. Reflect, rinse, repeat!
Tip #4 - Forgive
As Malachy McCourt once said, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Great line! And so true! Forgiveness can be complex and difficult, especially with someone you love. On a smaller scale, it could be simply "letting it go" when someone cuts you off on your way to work. The most liberating forgiveness is in forgiving yourself. Go easy on yourself if you haven't lost those extra pounds from the holidays or if you are not where you thought you would be at this point in your life. Tell yourself that you'll get there and be your greatest champion!
Tip #5 - You're not in this alone.
The biggest tip to get through the February Blahs is to remember you are not in this alone. Reach out to a friend and let them know how you're feeling. Better yet, be a friend to someone who needs support and let them know you are there for them. Asking for help (or offering support) is easy to do if you start out with a simple, "Hey, do you want to go for a walk with me?" Even if the conversation doesn't flow, even if you don't solve all the world's problems in that walk, you will open a door for both of you.
Stay positive and keep your eye on the prize of springtime flowers and sunshine. We'll get there together! Remember, sometimes February Blahs are more than simply feeling down and these tips may not be enough. Recognize that professional help may be needed and the best place to start is with your family doctor.
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