Say `Farewell' to the February Blues

February is prime time for the midwinter blahs. When the holiday bills come in and the holiday pounds show up around my middle, I find myself longing for the cheerier, sunnier months of spring. Gray skies, dreary weather and cabin fever also contribute to the February funk. And my Valentine's Days never seem to live up to the ones portrayed on greeting cards. Last year I decided to be proactive and tried some new things to boost my spirits. And they worked! See if any of these give you a lift this month:

• Re-assess your New Year's resolutions. Goal-setting is not a one-time process. Take stock of where you are. If you haven't reached the goals you set January 1, decide whether they were realistic and consider revising them. Congratulate yourself on the goals you've achieved and keep up the good work.
• Try a change in scenery or routine. Most of us can't afford to fly to Bermuda when we're feeling sun-deprived. But you can rent a few old summer movies, like "Beach Blanket Bingo," and have a picnic on the living-room floor.
• Try something new on Valentine's Day - treat yourself to flowers. One of my TV heroines, Mary Richards, always kept a rose on her desk to remind her that she was important.
• Go to lunch with a friend. That alone can be therapeutic, and if you talk about your blues, your friend will probably help you work through them or find some humor in your situation.
• Do something nice for someone else. Whether it's taking in my elderly neighbor's trash can or donating time or money to a charity, not thinking about myself always improves my outlook.
• Don't forget about taking care of yourself. This time of year it's especially important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Even though you might not be thirsty, indoor heating and decreased humidity can dehydrate you. And stay active. If the weather's bad, exercise at home or in a gym.

If you suspect you have something more serious than just the midwinter blues, talk to your doctor about depression and the medications available for treatment.

I have turned February from a "blah" month into a nice break between the holidays and a hectic summer. I hope it's a great month for you as well.

The author is an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and principal investigator of the Women's Health Initiative.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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