Feeling exhausted, running on empty, and fully embracing a don’t give a damn attitude toward life? Congratulations—you’ve officially entered February, the month when motivation goes into witness protection, your coffee lacks the power to kickstart anything, and even your cats seem personally offended by your existence.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 15% of Canadians, from all age groups, experience the dreaded “February Funk”—a sudden disinterest in hobbies, an overwhelming urge to avoid people, and a mood so irritable that even your indoor plants start wilting in protest. In short, we’re all just grumpy, energy-deprived, hibernating bears waiting for spring.
But why the personality shift? Is it the soul-crushing cold? The never-ending gray skies? Or the slow, sinking realization that spring might just be a myth? For a brief, shining moment, I had hope—Wiarton Willie, our esteemed groundhog meteorologist, predicted an early spring! I clung to his words like a lifeline. And then? Reality hit. Snowstorms rolled in, temperatures plummeted, and Willie reminded us all that trusting a groundhog with your seasonal outlook is like trusting your dog to guard your steak dinner.
But before you resign yourself to a month of dramatic sighing and aggressively burrowing into fuzzy blankets, let’s talk solutions.
Step one: Rule Out Sneaky Health Issues
Book that doctor’s appointment. No, really—don’t just blame the winter blues. Your low energy could be a stealthy thyroid issue, an iron deficiency, or vitamin D and B12 levels so low that getting out of bed feels like an Olympic event. And don’t let your doctor wave it off as “just getting older.” Nonsense. You are not a flickering lightbulb about to burn out. You want to shine, to feel like yourself again.
Step Two: Light it up
The further away you live from the equator, the more likely you are to suffer from the February Blahs. Our Canadian winters, with their painfully short daylight hours, are basically the villains in this story. Enter light therapy—a simple fix that has an antidepressant effect for about 70% of people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
“Well,” I thought, “hard to believe, but worth a shot.” So, I ordered a HappyLight from Amazon. Two days later, this new technology wonder arrived: a sleek, compact light about the size of an iPad. Because of its small size, it can be used almost anywhere. It now sits on the little table near Chuck’s chair, ready to be switched on whenever he is watching TV, relaxing or reading. When Chuck gets cranky, I just say, “Chuck. See the light. Go to the light.” This suggestion does not always amuse him.
If you have medical conditions such as eye issues or take medications that make you extra sensitive to light, check with your doctor before trying this remedy. Otherwise, bask in the glow and pretend you’re sunbathing in the Bahamas.
Step Three: Get Your Body Moving
First of all, take control of your life. Don’t procrastinate or make excuses. Step one: Make decisions. Step two: Take action. Step three: Get results.
Get outside, get moving, and soak in whatever sunlight you can find. Exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you feel better. Even a daily 15-minute walk can do wonders for your mood. If you’re up for it, embrace winter sports like skating, skiing, snowshoeing, or tobogganing. Have fun while getting that much-needed sunshine!
For those of us in the not looking to break a hip category, use common sense. A fall on ice does not outweigh the benefits of fresh air. Consider walking in a mall or another indoor facility where you won’t risk an unplanned date with the pavement.
Step Four: Be Social
Resist the urge to hibernate indefinitely. Get out of the house and connect with people. Meet a friend for coffee, go to a movie, join a local class, or attend a community event.
Human interaction is an underrated mood booster, and let’s be honest—your cat is tired of your company anyway.
Step Five: A Change in Scenery
If possible, escape to a sunny destination—though with the Canadian dollar in the toilet and international politics being what they are, you may want to choose wisely. If a tropical getaway isn’t in the cards, a simple weekend trip somewhere nearby can do the trick. A little change of scenery (and a break from cooking and cleaning) can work wonders.
Step Six: Vitamin D—Your New Best Friend
Take your daily dose of Vitamin D3. It’s the next best thing to actual sunlight, and let’s be real, February is not about to do us any favours in that department.
Hang In There, Fellow Bears
Winter is here for a few more weeks, but if we hang in there and try a few of these tricks, we’ll make it through. Soon enough, the days will get longer, the sun will shine brighter, and we’ll all emerge from our seasonal slumps with a renewed zest for life. Until then, keep the blankets close, the coffee strong, and the sarcasm fully charged. Spring is coming!
