Unless you happen to reside in Hawaii, California, or Florida, chances are your February weather is pretty miserable. February is arguably the bleakest month of the year, with the holidays now behind us and a yearning for springtime simmering in our hearts. For most of us, the weather app on our phones features a depressing succession of cloudy, rainy, or snowy icons for days and days on end. Yes, February is the month to just grit our teeth and get through.
While it’s true that the weather can have a powerful effect on our mood state, it doesn’t have to be that way. Indeed, if we flood our minds with some positivity, we can find creative ways to navigate the February blahs and overcome this damp, dreary month. Let’s go!
8 Ways to Overcome the Winter Blahs
February is that month when we are dismayed to realize that winter is only half over. “Haven’t we suffered enough?” you may wonder as you count the weeks until spring arrives to rescue us all. The good news is that with a little gumption we can push through the winter blahs and make this February truly memorable. Here’s how:
- Have a Soup Party. Who could argue that soup is the perfect winter meal option? Plan a casual dinner party and request each attendee to bring their favorite soup to share. Create a soup buffet to showcase the various soups, adding an array of breads, crackers, and toppings.
- Volunteer. When the weather threatens to sink our mood, why not gain some healthy perspective by offering your time and talents in the community. Find a local organization or nursing home and volunteer to help those who are less fortunate. If you’re an animal lover, volunteer at the local shelter.
- Take up Yoga. If you’ve always wanted to try yoga but stormy weather and hazardous roads keep you from venturing to a yoga studio, why not tune into an online yoga class? Explore the many yoga classes for beginners on YouTube to help you keep your body and mind toned and healthy.
- Become an Author. What better way to while away the drab February days than to start that book you’ve been dying to write. Aspiring authors can even publish their short stories, novels, or memoirs on Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon) for free.
- Host a Movie Night. Chances are your friends are just as miserable as you are during the throes of winter, so invite them over for a fun movie night. Choose a beloved classic, a chick flick, or a brand-new thriller and treat your friends to buttered popcorn and adult beverages.
- Learn a New Craft. Have you always wanted to learn how to knit, make jewelry, or paint? Why not use those rainy February days to take up a new craft. Don’t know where to start? No worries, there are plenty of “how to” videos on YouTube to get you started on your new hobby.
- Get Inspired. One of the best ways to break free from the wintertime funk is to change your mindset. Mindvalley offers numerous meditation tracks to guide you from a Negative Nora to a Positive Pauline. Check out “Master the Art of Happiness” or “The Uncompromised Life” for starters.
- Start a Book Club. Do you love to read but have a hard time sticking with it? Consider starting a book club with a group of friends. Take turns choosing a book, changing up the genres up each time, and meet up to discuss the book over appetizers and wine. It’s a great way to actually finish a book!
Don’t allow this second half of winter to get you down – instead, why not commit to making the most of February this year. Before you can say Happy Springtime, you’ll realize you have successfully navigated the February winter blahs with positivity and purpose.
