Ways to Beat that February Slump

 

Why not dedicate the month of February as a month for love? Make the choice to focus on Valentine's Day and self-love, as a prompt for improved self-care and heightened self-compassion.  

 

If our energy, motivation, and mood dip during the winter, and gloomy weather, heavy workloads, shorter days, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lead us down a path to overwhelm and burnout, now is the time to alter our perception.

Look Below For Ways to Beat that 

February Slump

1. Develop cozy rituals that encourage us to connect with loved ones. Make dates and chat with friends or family, or go to a concert, museum, play, or other beautiful cultural event with them. Sharing joy and pleasurable experiences with others makes it multiply. 

2. Start or end the day by writing out a gratitude list. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way in helping us accept where we're at, see and count our blessings, and find ways to love ourselves through a bad mood or rough patch. 

3. Practice slow living and reserve time and space to look inward instead of outward for comfort. Winter is a great time to retreat, restore, and reboot our spirit through prayer, reflection, rest, and contemplation.

4. Meditate (even for 2 minutes), practice deep breathing, or simply watch clouds roll by to relax and soothe jagged nerves.

5. Unplug from technological devices to recharge. Identify specific distractions, whether they’re notifications on phones or a cluttered workspace. Establish a distraction-free zone by turning off your phone during work hours and keeping work area organized and clutter-free.

6. Contact a friend or acquaintance you sense might need encouragement. When we reach out to help someone smooth out the rough edges, it momentarily gets our minds off ourselves, and makes us feel useful.

7. Learn something new by taking a short online course, watch a TED Talk, or attend an in-person course at a cooking or music school. When we tap into a creative outlet, our change of pace activity may make us feel inspired and more alive.

8. Assemble a Vision Board to visualize people, places, and things we want to draw into our lives in the future. Positive thinking and positive wishing are powerful tools for change.

9. Set achievable daily goals, and acknowledge progress, including "baby steps."

10. Affirm our goodness, lovability, and value as a human being and compose a few affirmations to honor ourselves. When we truly believe we are enough, it fosters increased self-contentment and self-esteem. 

11. Treat ourselves with self-compassion by being kind, loving, and caring (tender loving care). One study indicates loving ourselves unconditionally helps us feel emotionally safe and secure within ourselves. This sense of security helps us be our true, authentic self, with little fear of judgment or backlash from others.

12. Enjoy winter activities and embrace the beauty of the season by engaging in outdoor activities including ice skating, skiing, or simply making a giant snowman.

13. Look forward to the coming season by sketching out possible goals. Envision those positive things you can do to boost mood and motivation as the seasons evolve.

14. Prioritize sleep and treat rest as a key element for good health, not as a luxury. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule (7-9 hours). Create a cool, dark, quiet, and clutter-free bedroom, and establish relaxing bedtime routines like avoiding screens, caffeine, and heavy meals before bed. Here's a Gentle Self-loving Sleep Meditation by Julie Peters, one example of a relaxing way to prepare for a gentle night's sleep. 

Pick and choose activities and self-care practices that resonate for you. Want to spice up living? Perhaps you'll embark on a self-discovery adventure and try on a few self-care techniques that are new to you.

Some of the best ways to beat an emotional, physical, spiritual, or mental slump is to focus on small, actionable steps to reduce stress including body movement (walk, stretch, build a snowman), change of scenery (get outside or go to a movie), practice gratitude, and connect with a friend. Simple functions including showering, listening to or playing music, or doing a 5-minute de-clutter task can boost endorphins and shift our perspectives.

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Which self-care practices have you neglected over the holiday season? Does that serve you well? How can you be more consistent about doing them now? 

When I have a self-care lapse, I like to remind myself that I can start my day over any time I decide to do that. 

What helps you change your attitude or behavior, when you've started the day on the wrong foot? Please explain.

What things help you beat the blues, no matter what season it is? Please share.

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This post is offered for entertainment and educational purposes only, and is not intended as health advice. Check with your health care providers if you are suffering from SAD or other mental or physical health issues.

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